SAN MIGUEL LOS LOTES,
Guatemalan prosecutors have ordered an investigation into whether evacuation protocols were followed properly in Sunday's deadly volcanic eruption, which caught many residents unaware and with little to no time to evacuate.
A statement from the
Disaster officials began monitoring increased activity at the Volcano of Fire on Sunday morning but initially said no evacuations were necessary.
A new, more powerful explosion in the afternoon prompted an evacuation order, but deadly and fast-moving flows of superheated material and debris washed over villages before many people had time to flee.
At least 99 people have been confirmed killed, a number that is expected to rise with nearly 200 still missing.
The
Spokeswoman
Sanders on Thursday offered "deepest condolences" to victims of the volcano eruption and said the
Guatemalan officials have confirmed 99 dead, with many more missing. Recovery efforts have been suspended.
Guatemalan rescuers' decision to suspend recovery efforts in villages devastated by a volcanic eruption is leaving some people with relatives still missing distraught.
Ascon says she still has other family members unaccounted for — her father, mother and sisters. She adds that it's "not right" to leave their bodies there.
In her words: "They should get them out so we can take them to the cemetery."
The children died in the town of San Miguel Los Lotes. Ascon is in a shelter in the city of San Miguel Los Lotes.
The national disaster agency says it's suspending recovery efforts because of the danger to its workers. The official death toll is 99 with nearly 200 still missing.
After official searchers suspended recovery efforts in Guatemalan towns devastated by a volcanic eruption, some residents are taking matters into their own hands.
Nobody has heard from them since Sunday's eruption of the Volcano of Fire. Wiping a tear from his eye, Chavez says they searched shelters, hospitals, everywhere, to no avail.
With sticks and a machete they banged at the metal corrugated roof of a home buried in debris and tried to tear down a wall.
About 10 police officers saw what the family was doing and came to help, bringing more robust tools.
Rains have been hitting the area and the agency says climatic conditions as well as the still-hot volcanic material deposited on the villages makes it dangerous for the rescuers.
It says it decided to suspend the search now that 72 hours have passed. That's the length of time officials had said earlier that some victims might have survived.
It urged people to stay away from the area.
A
The children were among the victims of Sunday's eruption of the Volcano of Fire, which buried nearly villages in superheated ash and debris. Guatemalan officials say that 99 people are confirmed dead, with many more still missing.
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