A crafty trader trying to sell ash from one of the world’s most famous volcanoes has become an online laughingstock.
The would-be entrepreneur has been offering ash from Mexico’s Popocatepetl volcano for an astonishing GBP 500 a kilo.
But they’ve been ridiculed over the ad on Facebook placed after the volcano – one of the most active in the world – erupted twice in one morning on 10th May.
The advert on Facebook’s marketplace from a user called Erick Luna said: “I am selling approximately one kilo of ash from Popocatepetl that has just fallen from the sky.
“Serious offers. Halfway point delivery.”
Tons of ash, volcanic rock and lava are sent flying from Popocatepetl for free with seven major eruptions between 2020 and 2022.
The volcano – which straddles Puebla, Morelos, and Mexico states – gets its name from ancient an ancient Nahuatl phrase meaning, Smoking Mountain.
Others, according to local media, have begun to sell volcanic rocks with a starting price of MXN 250 (GBP 11.5).
The ads spread rapidly around social media, mocking the opportunists.
Facebook user ‘Juan Carlos’ said: “Will it have an expiration date? With the fact that the Himalayan salt from 2,000 years ago expires in 2024…. Well, you have to be warned…”
Then ‘Flor De Maria Sanabra’ said: “How, why do you buy it?”
And ‘Liliana Sandoval Gil’ added: “I have plenty if anyone wants.”
Mexico’s National Center for Prevention of Disasters (CENAPRED) warned citizens living nearby not to go close the volcano and especially the crater, and added that threat levels are at a “yellow phase 2”.
The centre revealed that a total of 217 volcanic exhalations accompanied by water vapour, volcanic gases and ash were detected in the last 24 hours as of Monday, 15th May.
They added: “CENAPRED emphatically reiterates the recommendation not to ascend to the volcano’s crater, since there is the possibility of explosions occurring, as has been seen on several occasions in the past, involving the emission of incandescent fragments.
“Therefore, it is insisted on respecting the exclusion radius of 12 kilometres [7.5 miles].
“Likewise, in case of heavy rains, move away from the bottom of ravines due to the danger of mud and debris flows.”
