Millions In Mexico Told To Prepare For Evacuation As Volcano Ejects Ash

Millions of people have been warned to prepare for a possible evacuation after Mexico raised its alert level on the Popocatepetl volcano following earthquake swarms that could signal an imminent eruption. 

??? | Un pasajero que viajaba de Ciudad de México (#CDMX) a #Colombia ?? grabó la actividad del volcán #Popocatepetl. pic.twitter.com/CIOT5V4meU

— ALERTAS RD ?? Y EL ?? (@Alertas_RD) May 23, 2023

On Sunday, the National Civil Protection Coordination (CNPC) raised the alert level to “yellow phase three” from “yellow phase two” on Popocatepetl, located in the states of Morelos, Puebla, and Mexico and is about 45 miles southwest of Mexico City. 

VIDEO: Ash blankets towns near the Popocatepetl volcano in central Mexico, a day after authorities raised the warning level to “yellow phase three”, which means “remain alert and prepare for a possible evacuation” pic.twitter.com/kM62UQsMkp

— AFP News Agency (@AFP) May 23, 2023

CNPC warned of more volcanic activity and ash dispersion into several nearby towns. It also recommended that residents nearby avoid outside.

Milenio TV reported the state capital of Puebla was blanketed in ash for the first time in a decade. Its airport was shuttered over the weekend. 

“We are in a phase of alert, not alarm,” Puebla’s governor Sergio Salomon tweeted in a video message on Monday. He said residents near the volcano should be prepared to evacuate. 

?? Mensaje a las poblanas y los poblanos con respecto a la reciente actividad del volcán #Popocatépetl.

Les comparto que hoy a las 18:00 horas tendremos una rueda de prensa que se transmitirá en vivo a través de las redes sociales del @Gob_Puebla. pic.twitter.com/XAbjitQ4H3

— Sergio Salomón (@SergioSalomonC) May 21, 2023

About 25 million people live within a 60-mile radius of the volcano. 

“In the case of Mexico City, the risk is ash fall. We are prepared for that scenario and we know what to do. Let’s stay alert,” Mexico City’s mayor Claudia Sheinbaum tweeted. 

The US Embassy has issued an advisory, warning people not to travel within a 7.5-mile radius of the volcano. It also noted, “Air travelers may continue to experience additional flight delays, cancellations, or temporary airport closures with little or no warning.” 

Popocatepetl has been dormant for nearly three decades since it erupted in 1994. The earthquake swarms around the volcano could suggest magma flows are rising and an eruption is imminent.