Guatemala volcano erupts showering town in ash and closing airport

Guatemala's Fuego volcano erupted on Saturday evacuating residents from their homes and showering surrounding towns with rock and dust.

President Otto Perez said the international airport in the capital Guatemala City was closed and is expected to reopen on later on Sunday.

According to ITV News, around100 residents were evacuated.

When the volcano erupted, airport workers were forced to clear the runways of ash. Residents were urged to wear masks or wet cloth to guard against dangerous contaminants.

Karina Lopez, a resident of nearby Antigua, told AP that ash mixed with a drizzle to reduce visibility and the volcano continued to rumble.

Firefighters were on stand by.

In March last year, the Pacaya volcano erupted in the country, evacuating around 3,000 people living in the area.

Ash clouds reached heights of around three miles and flights were diverted.

Tourists in Papua New Guinea witnessed the moment a volcano erupted from a boat last year.

Holidaymaker Phil McNamara filmed the plume of ash and smoke spew into the air from Mount Tavurvur. The incredible moment was followed by a thundering boom, which shook the boat.
The powerful shockwave even blew clouds around the sky.

Phil, from Queensland, Australia, was on the tourist boat with his wife Linda on 29 August.

In the video, someone is heard saying: "Watch out for the shock, it's coming." A huge boom is then heard before the boat is shaken.