Millions warned they're living in danger zone of super volcano that could erupt imminently

The infamous peak was responsible for the historic destruction of Pompeii in 79AD.

People living inside the yellow zone have been warned they could be hit by falling ash and rocks.

Officials in the city have added around 1.5 million people living in 63 towns and villages on the outskirts to an existing red-zone of 600,000 people - taking the toll of those deemed to be at most risk to a whopping 2.1 million people.

The terrifying red zone lies within the closest 200 square kilometres to the peak.

Those most at risk and could even experience horrifying pyroclastic flows.

The 200mph blasts of scalding gas, ash and rock can destroy anything in their path - including buildings.

A major eruption would send enough ash into the atmosphere to block out sunlight for months.

It would affect huge parts of Europe or further afield and could even cause a mini ice age.

Japanese scientist Nakada Setsuya has warned it is not a case of if but when the ominous volcano next erupts.

In 2012, he told a volcano threat conference: "Italy must discuss and prepare a plan to manage the situation."

Since Pompeii, there have been 30 more smaller eruptions,=.

But the last was in 1944 and killed 26 people.

Italy's previous emergency plan was based on an eruption the size of one experienced in 1631 which left 6,000 dead - not the massive event which led to the destruction of Pompeii.

The former plan also suggested the next eruption would "not be unexpected, but will be preceded by series of preliminary events which can be spotted some time earlier”.

But authorities are increasingly fearing an unexpected explosion.

Naples city council spokesman Domenico Annunziata warned the destruction could extend even beyond the danger areas,.

He said: "The experts have said that in the event of a big eruption and in certain atmospheric conditions, the ash and powder could reach these places further away."

But he said in those cases "there was no need to be alarmist”.

He added: "We're talking about falling powder, so it wouldn't be devastating."

(dailystar.co.uk)