The incident has injured hundreds.

The volcanic eruption spewed a river of red, hot lava and belched thick clouds of smoke nearly six miles into the air, according to the CONRED, the government's national coordinator for disaster reduction, reported CNN.

The explosion stands to affect 1.7 million people, Sergio García Cabañas, director of CONRED, was quoted as saying by CNN.

Meanwhile, the emergency has forced the closure of  Guatemala's La Aurora airport, stalling air travel in the national capital. 

Over 4000 people have been rescued.

Rescue operation is still going on.

PNC Guatemala tweeted: "#PNCProtegerYServir Dozens of families continue to be evacuated by our outstanding police personnel in Escuintla and Sacatepéquez. Many children are taken in arms or loaded on the backs of our agents to then walk for several miles to make them safe."

The Guatemalan Army shared images on their Twitter handle where officers could be seen clearing the runway with push brooms.

Guatemala Jimmy Morales said national emergency system has been alerted following the eruption.

"Eruption of #VolcánDeFuego. There will be a press conference at 6:00 pm, please be pending, the national emergency system has already been called," he tweeted.

According to local experts, the eruption is the biggest since 1974.

Image: Kevin.sebold/Wikipedia