Volcano: Bali on high alert
– A volcano on the Indonesian tourist island of Bali sent plumes of grey smoke and steam thousands of metres into the air yesterday for the third day in a week, triggering flight disruptions and leaving thousands of tourists stranded, officials said.
Mount Agung spewed smoke and ash as high as 4 000 metres yesterday, causing at least 15 departing or arriving flights to be cancelled, according to a spokesperson for Bali’s airport.
Indonesia’s volcanology centre 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 flights was up to individual airlines, said airport spokesperson 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,” said Ahsanurrohim.
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 Sydney-based tourist Jake Vidler.
But on the nearby island of Lombok, also a popular tourist destination east of Bali, the airport was closed yesterday evening as wind blew ash from Mount Agung in that direction.
“I’ve received a refund from my airline. Now I’m trying to go to Lombok by boat, hopefully the harbour is open,” said Ismono who, like many Indonesians, goes by one name.
Mount Agung last erupted in 1963, killing nearly 1 600 people.
It rumbled back to life in September and authorities raised the alert to the highest level. – AFP