Story By: Jonathan Macias, Sub Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Central European News

Video Credit: CEN/@PC_Estatal

This is the moment Mexico’s mighty Popocatepetl volcano erupts and sends a huge column of ash and lava spewing out of the crater.

Popocatepetl, an active volcano located in the states of Puebla and Morelos in central Mexico, erupted several times last night.

In the night footage, the mighty volcano is seen spewing lava and a column of ash and debris high into the sky.

According to the National Civil Protection Coordination, two eruptions took place on 4th November at 8.19pm and 8.23pm.

A third blast reported occurred at 10.19pm which sent a column of ash moving in a westerly direction.

Due to the recent activity, the National Centre for Prevention of Disasters (CENAPRED) has maintained the alert level around the volcano at Yellow Alert Phase 2, with a warning not to come close to the volcano and follow recommendations due to the ash fall.

About 25 million people live within a 60-mile radius of the active volcano’s crater

The Civil Protection authority has asked residents to keep their nose, mouth and eyes covered, and to drink lots of clean water.

The name Popocatepetl comes from the Nahuatl language and means ‘Smoking Mountain’. It is also referred to by Mexicans as ‘El Popo’.

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