ESCUINTLA, Guatemala (AP) — A long-simmering volcano exploded into a series of powerful eruptions outside of one of Guatemala’s most famous tourist attractions Thursday, hurling thick clouds of ash nearly two miles (three kilometers) high, spewing rivers of lava down its flanks and prompting evacuation orders for more than 33,000 people from surrounding communities.

Guatemala’s head of emergency evacuations, Sergio Cabanas, said the evacuees were ordered to leave some 17 villages around the Volcan del Fuego.