Volcano Eruption in Mexico Forces Closure of Airport

,  By  Dominykas

Photo: 12news.com
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The volcano Popocatépetl came to life at 2:32 this morning, sending out a column of ash that fell on much of the city of Puebla and closed the airport.

 The National Disaster Prevention Center, Cenapred, said the volcano spewed ash to an altitude of about three kilometers above the crater.

The explosion was accompanied by the emission of incandescent fragments which were reported to be landing up to 1.6 kilometers away, northeast of the volcano, which is commonly known as El Popo.

 Civil Protection authorities warned against approaching the volcano.

“It is important to respect the security radius of 12 kilometers due to the danger of incandescent fragments being emitted,” said national coordinator Luis Felipe Puente via Twitter.

The Puebla International Airport halted operations at about 7:00am, but expected to reopen by 1:00pm.

Puebla Online reported that “practically everything remained covered in ash” this morning. Ash fall was also reported in San Andrés and San Pedro Cholula.

El Popo remains under a phase 2 yellow alert.

Source: mexiconewsdaily.com