Officials in Guatemala have evacuated hundreds of people from villages near the Pacaya volcano which erupted violently on Sunday.

Pacaya, twenty-five kilometres south of the capital, Guatemala City, threw lava and ashes high into the air, forcing the temporary closure of the international airport.

The newly sworn-in president of Guetemala, Alfonso Portillo, flew over the mountain by helicopter to witness the eruption.

Officials say the level of eruptions has subsided but experts have warned that activity could increase.

When Pacaya last erupted in 1998, parts of Guatamala City were covered with white ash flakes and the airport had to close.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service