Airlines warned over Bali volcano activity
DENPASAR (AFP) — A volcano on the Indonesian tourist island of Bali sent plumes of grey smoke and steam thousands of meters into the air yesterday for the third day in a week, triggering flight cancelations which have left thousands of tourists stranded, officials said.
Mt. Agung spewed smoke and ash as high as 13,123 feet yesterday morning, causing at least 28 departing or arriving flights to be delayed or canceled, said a spokesman for Bali’s airport.
Indonesia’s volcanology center has put out a red alert warning airlines of a possible eruption, with a likely significant emission of ash into the atmosphere. But as of yesterday afternoon Bali’s Ngurah Rai airport was still open.
The decision to delay or divert flight was up to individual airlines, said airport spokesman Arie Ahsanurrohim.
“We try to make the airport as comfortable as possible for the passengers affected. So far we have provided special rooms for them to unpack their luggage and video entertainment so they can relax a bit,” Ahsanurrohim told AFP.
At least 2,000 passengers are affected by the flight disruption, mostly tourists from Australia.
“I am meant to be at work tomorrow. How am I going to pay my bills?” said Sydneybased tourist Jake Vidler.
Several domestic flights have also been canceled such as to the nearby island of Lombok, also a popular tourist destination east of Bali. The wind has blown Mt. Agung’s ash in that direction.
“I’ve received a refund from my airline. Now I’m trying to go to Lombok by boat, hopefully the harbor is open,” said Ismono, who like many Indonesians goes by one name.
Mt. Agung last erupted in 1963, killing nearly 1,600 people.
It rumbled back to life in September and authorities raise the alert to the highest level, forcing 140,000 people living nearby to evacuate.
The volcano’s activity decreased in late October and many people returned to their home as the alert was lowered to the second-highest level.
But Mt. Agung rumbled again last Tuesday, forcing 25,000 people to seek shelter. Authorities urged people living within 7.5 kilometers of the mountain to evacuate.
The mountain spewed smoke and ash on Saturday for the second time in a week in what volcanologists call a phreatic eruption — one which is caused by the heating and expansion of groundwater.
Authorities have decided not to raise the alert back to the highest level yet.