Israeli aid reaches volcano-stricken Guatemala as death toll climbs

Israel’s aid to Guatemala has arrived as the country contends with a devastating volcanic eruption that killed at least 69 people.

By: World Israel News Staff and AP

Israel has delivered $10,000 worth of aid, including food, medication and blankets, to Guatemala after a volcano killed at least 69 people.

Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) announced Monday it was sending aid to Guatemala after a fiery volcanic eruption in the country sent lava flowing into rural communities.

Israel is maintaining contact with the Guatemalan government and will send further support as required, the Ministry said.

“We follow with worry the eruption of the Fuego volcano in Guatemala. Our hearts go to the victims and their families. From Israel we extend solidarity and friendship,” MFA spokesman Emmanuel Nahshon tweeted.

The Volcan de Fuego, or “volcano of fire,” exploded in a hail of ash and molten rock Sunday, blanketing nearby villages in heavy ash and sending lava flows down the mountain’s flank.

Guatemalan authorities have increased the confirmed death toll from the eruption of the Volcano of Fire to 69 as officials suspended the search until dawn on Tuesday.

A lack of electricity in the most heavily hit zone makes searching at night unsafe.

Guatemala’s disaster agency said in addition that 46 people were injured. Nearly 2,000 people are in shelters and more than 3,200 were evacuated from the areas near the volcano west of Guatemala City.

Israel and Guatemala have recently experienced a significant warming of relations after the Central American country moved its embassy to Jerusalem last month.