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Bali volcano eruption fears leave holidaymakers stranded

Fears of an imminent major volcano eruption on the Indonesian holiday island of Bali have increased and an evacuation zone widened.

The island’s airport has been closed, leaving thousands stranded.

The main tourist areas of Kuta and Seminyak are about 43 miles from the volcano, far beyond the exclusion zone.

But Ngurah Rai airport has been shut until Tuesday morning local time.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office advised travellers to be prepared for cancelled flights, closely monitor local media and to heed warnings from local authoties.

“Ash clouds emitted by the volcano have caused disruption to flights and airport closure in the region,” the FCO said in updated travel advice.

The airport on neighbouring Lombok re-opened today after itvwas shut briefly.

Indonesian authorities have raised the state of alert to its highest level.

Authorities say dark smoke and ash have been billowing up to 11,150ft above the summit of Mount Agung, which has also been emitting fire.

Officials have warned residents to stay away from rock and debris flows known as lahars, which have been spotted flowing down from the mountain.

The country’s National Board for Disaster Management raised the alert to level four from last night, because of “the possibility and imminent risk of disaster”.

The volcano was seen emitting “continuous ash puffs” occasionally accompanied by “explosive eruptions” and “weak booms” that could be heard seven miles from the summit.

“The rays of fire are increasingly observed at night. This indicates the potential for a larger eruption is imminent,” it said.

Authorities first issued warnings of an imminent eruption and raised the alert to the highest level in September after detecting heightened volcanic activity, prompting mass evacuations.

The island lost at least $110 million in tourism and productivity during that major evacuation, according to official estimates.

Abta said it was closely monitoring the activity of volcano Mount Agung.

A statement from the association said: “There will only be a relatively small number of UK holidaymakers on the island at this time of year. Abta advises that people on holiday in the region should monitor news reports, follow the advice from local authorities and stay outside the existing exclusion zone, which extends between 8 and 10 kms from the crater.

“Volcanic ash clouds could continue to cause flight disruption and may result in further airport closures in the region. Anyone due to travel to the region imminently should check with their travel provider or airline to establish if their holiday or flight is affected.”

Abta said: “We are closely monitoring the activity of volcano Mount Agung on the island of Bali, which is around 71 kilometres from the nearest major tourist destination of Kuta.

“Mount Agung has been erupting since 21 November and local authorities have raised the state of alert to the highest level.

“Ash clouds have caused the airports on Bali and neighbouring Lombok to close and have resulted in disruption to flights in the region.

“There will only be a relatively small number of UK holidaymakers on the island at this time of year.

“Abta advises that people on holiday in the region should monitor news reports, follow the advice from local authorities and stay outside the existing exclusion zone, which extends between 8 and 10 kms from the crater.

“Volcanic ash clouds could continue to cause flight disruption and may result in further airport closures in the region.

“Anyone due to travel to the region imminently should check with their travel provider or airline to establish if their holiday or flight is affected.”

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