Footage circulating on social media captures the terrifying moment a group of hikers runs for their lives as a volcano erupts beneath them in Guatemala. The video shows the hikers just metres from the crater of the Santiaguito volcano when it erupted this week. A massive cloud of ash can be seen shooting up from the ground as rocks and debris are tossed around.
A separate video captured from a distance shows some of the hikers running down the hillside as rocks rain down. One person can be seen falling to the ground as the group rushes away. The hikers were climbing a route nicknamed “the death trail,” according to reports.
The climb is considered extremely dangerous, as the volcano is one of the most active in Central America. It is understood that the ascent of the Santiaguito volcano is prohibited by authorities. However, ABC7 Eyewitness News reported that hikers routinely ignore the restrictions.
Social media users on platform X shared their views of the incident. One X user wrote: “This is why you stay away from active craters. Imagine being in their shoes right now… what’s your first move?” Another said: “Volcano don't send warning text. One minute you're posing, next you're running from hot rocks.”
