Thousands of people have been forced to flee their homes as two volcanos erupted in Guatemala and Ecuador. In Guatemala, the Pacaya volcano began spewing lava, rocks and debris on Thursday, killing at least two people and injuring more than 50 others. At least 1,700 people have fled the eruption from the Pacaya volcano situated some 30 kilometres south of the capital city. President Alvaro Colom has declared a state of emergency in Escuintla region, Guatemala City and areas surrounding the capital. He said two people had died and three children were missing. The volcano has covered parts of Guatemala City in ash – up to 7cm thick in some areas – forcing the closure of the country's main international airport. Seismologists have warned of more eruptions from the Pacaya volcano in the coming days. In Ecuador, the Tungurahua volcano forced the evacuation of seven villages and shut the airport and schools in Guayaquil, the country's largest city. The volcano sent ash plumes 10 kilometres into the air. Strong winds blew the ash over the country's most populous city, Guayaquil, and forced aviation officials to close the country's main airport. Several thousand people have evacuated their homes in the volcanic area, 150 kilometres south-east of the capital Quito.