It's raining ash southeast of Mexico City. The Popocatépetl volcano is active. People in the region are said to be ready for evacuation.
Munich/Mexico City – The Popocatépetl volcano has been spewing ash, steam and gas for days. In view of the increased activity, the government of Mexico has now declared the second highest alert level. This means that the population should be ready for an evacuation. On Monday, the National Civil Protection is expected to review escape routes and instructions from emergency shelters.
On January 9, 2020, the Popocatépetl volcano erupted for the last time: Mexico's government currently fears the next eruption. © Especial/dpa/picture alliance
25 million people affected: Government of Mexico raises warning level due to Popocatépetl volcano
The Disaster Prevention Authority also recommends that people in the region stay indoors if possible. If you go outside, you should protect your mouth, nose and eyes.
Popocatépetl is located about 85 kilometers southeast of the Mexican capital Mexico City. About 100 million people live within a radius of 25 kilometers around the volcano.
Due to the ash rain, the government has already closed 900 schools, and on Saturday air traffic at two airports in Mexico City was temporarily suspended.
Popocatépetl is one of the most active volcanoes in Mexico – the last eruption occurred in 2013
The Popocatépetl is one of the most active volcanoes in the country, around it there is an exclusion zone of twelve kilometers. The last time he spewed lava was in January 2020. The last major eruption occurred in 2013. At that time, the ashes reached four districts of Mexico City.
In the Mexican state of Puebla, a natural phenomenon occurred last year that experts could not explain. A gigantic crater opened up. And the hole in the ground continued to grow incessantly. (moe with dpa)