Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Environment
Samuel Osborne

Bali volcano - live updates: 'Imminent' Mount Agung eruption as tens of thousands flee danger zone

Tens of thousands of travellers have been stranded on Bali after an erupting volcano forced the Indonesian island's international airport to close.

Mount Agung has been hurling clouds of white and dark gray ash about 3,000 meters (9,800 feet) into the atmosphere since the weekend and lava is welling up in the crater.

Indonesian authorities raised their warning for the volcano to the top level four alert, and told residents around the mountain to immediately evacuate, warning of an "imminent" risk of a larger eruption.

Videos released by the National Disaster Mitigation Agency showed a mudflow of volcanic debris and water known as a lahar moving down the volcano's slopes. It said lahars could increase because it's rainy season and warned people to stay away from rivers. 

Spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho told a news conference in Jakarta that the extension of the danger zone affects 22 villages and about 90,000 to 100,000 people. He said about 40,000 people have evacuated but others have not left because they feel safe or don't want to abandon their livestock. 

"Authorities will comb the area to persuade them," he said. "If needed we will forcibly evacuate them." About 25,000 people were already living in evacuation centers after an increase in tremors from the mountain in September sparked an evacuation. 

Lava rising in the crater "will certainly spill over to the slopes," Mr Sutopo said. 

The volcano's last major eruption in 1963 killed about 1,100 people. 

Bali's airport was closed early Monday after ash, which can pose a deadly threat to aircraft, reached its airspace. 

Airport spokesman Air Ahsanurrohim said 445 flights were cancelled, stranding about 59,000 travellers. The closure is in effect until Tuesday morning though officials said the situation will be reviewed every six hours. 

Indonesia sits on the "Pacific Ring of Fire" and has more than 120 active volcanoes. 

Additional reporting by agencies

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.