May 30, 2010 (Pen Men at Work): The Guatemala volcano Pacaya erupted in a shower of molten rock, lava and debris last Thursday, leaving a person dead and a number of children missing. The other inhabitants of the place have been forced to flee from the location which is a good 30 km from the capital city.

Guatemala City, the nation’s capital was also forced to close down its international airport as the volcanic ash threatened visibility as well as security. The flights were all diverted to the other prominent airports of the country.

The news agency from Associated Press received the news of how a family had to hide under their beds and tables while ash and rocks from the volcano fell all around them. The family from Calderas lamented that they had lost every possession as the watched their house being crumbled by the huge rocks and debris from the volcanic eruption. One man was reported killed when he fell to his death from the fourth floor while sweeping the ashes.

The President of the country had declared an emergency all throughout the regions of Escuintla, Guatemala City as well as the surrounding areas. The people from the badly affected areas are currently being housed in temporary shelters while an additional 1000 residents have also been evacuated from the site of volcanic eruptions.

A TV reporter, Anibal Archila, has also been killed in the catastrophic event. With a number of lives and properties lost, the people of the area fear another eruption of the Pacaya soon even as the present volcanic activity seems to be going down.

This particular volcano is known for its intermittent eruptions with the last one occurring in January 2000.