At least 73 people were killed while as over 200 people were missing since Guatemala’s Fuego volcano began erupting over the weekend, AFP reported.

Media reports further said that seven communities in already devastated areas were evacuated as the volcano’s activity increased, with rescue operations halted.

Meanwhile the search for the missing  bodies in mountain villages destroyed by the eruption was progressing slowly.

In the city of Escuintla, near the summit, panicked locals rushed to their cars to escape, causing chaotic traffic.

“We will continue until we find the last victim, though we do not know how many there are. We will probe the area as many times as necessary,” reports said.

Over 1.7 million people have badly affected due to the disaster, reports said.