Pompeii had about 13,000 inhabitants at that time. When Mt Vesuvius erupted at high noon, spewing volcanic ashes all over the village of Pompeii. Most people continued on with their daily lives, unaware of the imminent danger. Some of the inhabitants tried to escape, yet it was almost impossible to flee. Therefore, many people died in Pompeii, and most of them were poisoned by the phosphorus gases from the volcanic eruption. Within two days the whole city was entirely destroyed and covered in a 6-9m deep layer of ash.

Source: 24 Milano