Authorities from the National Directorate of Civil Protection suggested to the Ministry of Education to establish distance classes in San Miguel, Chinameca, San Jorge and San Rafael Oriente, all in the department of San Miguel, after the volcano began to expel gases two days ago.

The advisory suggested that no tourist activities be carried out on the volcano and that a three-kilometer security perimeter be maintained around the central crater.

The Civil Protection evacuated students from the Federico García Prieto National Institute in the Las Placitas hamlet, Conacastal canton in San Miguel, given the proximity of the volcano, the third highest in El Salvador.

The authorities anticipate that the degassing period will be extended for several days, which could be accompanied by explosions and more intense ash emissions.

The emission of gases of magmatic origin is continuous, the seismicity records show an increase in activity related to the passage of gases from inside the volcano, authorities said.

The San Miguel volcano is the most active in El Salvador and is classified as an open system, therefore it may continue to present periods of increased gaseous activity and sporadic explosions without prior notice.

The Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources is monitoring the situation closely and has called residents of the municipalities of San Jorge, Chinameca, San Rafael Oriente and sectors near the volcano in particular, to be alert to the activity and ready to be evacuated if necessary.

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