Mount Pelée, located on the island of Martinique, had been dormant for decades before showing signs of unrest in the year leading up to its catastrophic eruption. On the morning of May 8, 1902, the volcano erupted with great intensity, sending a massive cloud of ash and gas into the atmosphere. This was soon followed by a deadly pyroclastic flow, which descended rapidly down the slopes of the volcano, transforming the landscape and leaving no time for the residents of Saint-Pierre to escape. The town, which was once known as the 'Paris of the Caribbean' due to its bustling port and vibrant culture, was no match for the volcanic fury, and within minutes, an estimated 30,000 inhabitants were killed.Those who survived the initial blast were few and found themselves in a nightmarish landscape filled with ash and destruction. Among them was a prisoner named Ludger Sylbaris, who sought refuge in a dungeon during the eruption. It took days for rescuers to arrive, and by then, the once-thriving community was nothing more than smoldering ruins. The eruption of Mount Pelée served as a critical moment in the study of volcanology, prompting scientists to investigate volcanic behavior and improve warning systems for volcanic eruptions. The French government established measures to evacuate residents from high-risk areas in hopes of preventing such tragedies in the future.