Thousands stranded as Bali’s Mount Agung volcano erupts

Thousands stranded as Bali’s Mount Agung volcano erupts | Secret Flying

100,000 people near Bali’s Mount Agung have been ordered to evacuate the region as there is “the possibility and imminent risk of disaster”.

 

Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Authority has raised the volcanic warning to the highest level as Mount Agung began erupting Sunday night.

 

Dark smoke and ash have been billowing up to 3,400m above the mountain’s summit.

 

Officials are ordering up to 100,000 people within 6.2 miles of the crater to evacuate.

 

However, less than half that number have actually left. Many locals feel they will be safe where they are, whilst others don’t want to abandon their livestock.

 

The island’s main airport, Ngurah Rai International Airport, is now closed, leaving thousands stranded on the island.

 

The volcano is approximately 75 kilometres (47 miles) from the Indonesian beach and resort area of Kuta.

 

Many Balinese believe the gods are angry when the volcano rumbles. Some religious leaders say tourists behaving badly and disrespecting customs are to blame for its current activity.

 

When Mount Agung last experienced a major eruption in 1963, nearly 2,000 people died.