LUCKY ESCAPE

A Briton who climbed the neighbouring peak to a volcano in Guatemala a day before at least 33 people were killed in an eruption has told how he feels “fortunate” to have escaped harm.

Richard Fitz-hugh, a backpacker from Buckinghamshire, spoke from ash-covered Antigua, around 11 miles from the erupting volcano.

The 24-year-old trekked to the base camp of Acatenango, around two miles from the deadly volcano, on Saturday.

“It was fine then, erupting as normal with lava flows but it was a lot worse today,” he said.

Tourists can take tours up the Volcan de Fuego’s neighbour. Mr Fitz-hugh said: “We knew it was active, it’s all part of the experience.”