Guatemalans in the Bay Area said they are heartbroken over the news of the massive volcanic eruption that has killed dozens and displaced thousands of people.
“We are sad and we are worried for Guatemala,” said 26-year-old Pedro Sales Perez, a construction worker in Oakland who was eating lunch Monday at Rinconcito Chapin, a Guatemalan restaurant in the Fruitvale neighborhood. “Guatemala is mourning and so are we.”
More than 3,200 people have been evacuated since the Volcan de Fuego, about 25 miles from the capital of Guatemala City, began spewing hot lava and gas through several towns Sunday.
The village of El Rodeo was completely buried with volcanic material. The death toll — 65 at press time — is expected to rise.
Over 1.7 million people in the departments of Sacatepequez, Chimaltenango and Escuintla are affected by the eruption, reportedly the largest Guatemala has seen in more than a century.