Due to the eruption of Mount Agung Volcano on the Indonesian tourist island of Bali, plumes of grey smoke and steam, has disrupted flights, stranding thousands of tourists.
Mount Agung spewed smoke and ash as high as 3 kilometres (2 miles) above the summit of the rumbling volcano, which began erupting last week, causing at least 15 flights to be cancelled on Sunday afternoon.
Indonesia’s volcanology centre put out a red alert warning airlines of a possible eruption, with a significant emission of ash into the atmosphere likely. Bali’s Ngurah Rai Airport was still open on Sunday afternoon, and many flights landed after a delay or diversion.
Passengers who are stuck at the airport have been provided rooms to unpack their luggage, and video entertainment so as to relax a bit. About 2,000 passengers are affected by the flight disruption. The volcano last erupted in 1963, killing nearly 1,600 people. The volcano is located at a distance of 70 kilometres from the popular tourist areas of Kuta and Seminyak.
