This is the moment a group of foolhardy climbers come face-to-face with Popocatepetl’s crater after risking life and limb and ignoring warnings about the active volcano’s regular eruptions and toxic emissions.
The clips were filmed at the top of the central Mexican volcano and shared on social media where they have been viewed nearly 100,000 times.
Video Credit: CEN
In the footage, one of the daredevil climbers says: “Friends, we are on the crater! 32 degrees below zero and we are still here!”
According to reports, the young men risked their lives to climb Popocatepetl as the volcano is still expelling ash and toxic gases after a period of regular eruptions since the start of the year.
They also braved the sub-zero conditions to reach the crater.
The Coordination of Civil Protection released a press statement urging people to respect the security perimeter and safety measures in place.
The statement said: “Popocatepetl is an active volcano, do not approach it! Toxic gases, eruptions and falling incandescent rocks could hit you. Respect the 12-kilometre security perimeter. While risking your life, you risk all our lives.”
Mexico’s National Centre for Prevention of Disasters (Cenapred) also asked the public to not approach the volcano as it has been emitting toxic gases in the last few days and there is also the risk of falling rocks and debris.
It is not the first time that locals have risked their lives to scale the volcano to bizarrely observe its activity at close quarters.
In March, a group of climbers climbed to the crater during a period of frequent eruptions.
It is unclear whether the climbers will face legal action for breaking the security measures in place.
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Story By: Ana Lacasa, Sub-Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Central European News
