Thousands flee Guatemala and Ecuador volcano eruptions

THOUSANDS have fled their homes in Guatemala and Ecuador after explosive eruptions shook two huge volcanos in Central and South America.

Guatemala's Pacaya volcano started erupting lava and rocks last Thursday, blanketing the country's capital with ash and forcing the closure of the international airport.

A TV reporter was killed by a shower of burning rocks when he got too close to the volcano, about 15 miles south of Guatemala City.

In the village of Calderas, close to the eruption, Brenda Castaneda said she and her family hid under beds and tables as marble-sized rocks thundered down on her home.

Meanwhile, strong explosions rocked Ecuador's Tungurahua volcano, prompting evacuation of hundreds of people from nearby villages.

Ecuador's National Geophysics Institute said ash soared six miles above a crater that is already 16,479ft above sea level.

Winds blew the ash over the country's most populous city, Guayaquil, and halted flights out of the Pacific port.