Bali volcano eruption: Latest updates as Mount Agung ERUPTS and spews volcanic ash cloud
BALI’s highest volcano Mount Agung is sending a dark ash cloud into the sky as it erupts for the second time in less than a week. Here are live updates and the latest news.
- Bali volcano erupts again at 5.30pm local time on Saturday
- Burning red glow seen at the summit of the volcano last night
- Volcanic ash rains down on villages on the slopes of the volcano
- The aviation warning has been upgraded to red - flights cancelled
- The magmatic eruption comes after steam-blast eruption on Tuesday
Here are the latest updates from the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), Magma Indonesia, the Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation Agency (PVMBG) and other official sources. (All times GMT)
12.30am: Bali airport closed and another airline cancels all flights to and from the holiday hotspot
Bali airport has been closed and another major airline has announced it has cancelled flights to the popular tourist spot.
Qantas' budget airline Jetstar announced all flights to and from Bali on Monday had been cancelled.
Jetstar in a statement said: "Flying conditions in Bali have worsened this morning due to the ash cloud from the Mount Agung volcano.
"As a result, all our flights in and out of Bali for Monday, 27 November have been cancelled."
The airline added that customers on cancelled flights would be contacted and advised how to re-book.
12.05 am: Indonesia raises alert to highest level 4
Indonesia’s disaster management agency said it has raised the alert to the highest possible level 4 on Bali’s Mount Agung Volcano.
The agency said: ”Grey ash and occasional weak blasts can be heard 12 km (seven miles) from the peak. Flames were visible at night which indicates a potential eruption could happen anytime.
"In anticipation of the possibility and imminent risk of disaster, PVMBG (the Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation Centre) raised Mount Agung alert level from three to four starting from 6 a.m. local time.”
12am: Nicole Stinson taking over live reporting
Sunday November 26
10.40pm: 'Magmatic eruption'
Officials have said the current activity of Mount Agung could a “magmatic eruption” ne which involves the decompression of gas and results in the spewing of ash -- and advised people near the mountain to wear masks.
9.50pm: Mount Agung is reportedly still “spewing out smoke,” according to an eye-witness report.
One holidaymaker on the island wrote on Twitter: “Dawn is breaking over #MountAgung in #Bali. I've been coughing all night from the #VolcanicAsh I've inhailled. The #volcano is still spewing out smoke.”
8pm: More flights cancelled
Authorities at Ngurah Rai International Airport said that 45 flights were canceled Sunday by Cathay Pacific Airways, Jetstar, AirAsia and Garuda Indonesia, affecting more than 5,500 passengers. On Saturday, 14 flights were canceled, affecting some 2,350 passengers.
5.41pm: Fears grow over serious eruption
Fears grow there could be a serious volcanic eruption on Bali.
Disaster officials said ash up to half a centimetre thick settled on villages around the volcano and soldiers and police had distributed masks. Authorities warned anyone still in the exclusion zone around the volcano, which extends 7.5 kilometers from the crater in places, to leave.
5.30pm Jon Rogers taking over reporting
Air Asia is the latest airline to cancel all flights to Bali as Mount Agong volcano continues to spew out volcanic ash.
Reuters
1.52pm: Ash cloud drifts over Lombok
Australia's Bureau of Meteorology's Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VACC) in Darwin issued maps showing an ash cloud heading southeast over the neighbouring island of Lombok, away from Bali's capital, Denpasar, where the main international airport is located.
1.48pm: Lombok island's airport remains closed
Ash clouds have forced the closure of Lombok island's airport until at least 6am local time on Monday.
1.30pm: Ash column soars 3,000m into the sky
BNPB Indonesia said the ash column is stretching 3,000m into the sky and leaning east-east from the summit.
Api dan cahaya kemerahan pada asap saat erupsi 25/11/2017 pukul 23:00 WITA dipengaruhi oleh lava yang keluar dari kawah Gunung Agung. Sejak tadi malam tipe erupsi adalah magmatik yang terus berlanjut hingga sekarang. Sudah bukan freatik lagi. #BaliTetapAman #GunungAgung #Bali pic.twitter.com/bi6wpaePE7
— Sutopo Purwo Nugroho (@Sutopo_BNPB) November 26, 2017
12.30pm: Red smoke and lava coming out of crater
Fiery red smoke was pictured pouring out of Bali volcano at 11pm local time on Friday.
BNBP spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho shared the image and said that lava was now coming out of the crater of Mount Agung.
He added: “Since last night the type of eruption is magmatic that continues until now.”
12.20pm: Passengers left waiting at Bali airport
From an airport in Bali, student Chelsea Van de Ven said that many stranded travellers cannot afford new accomodation or flights.
"So they just have to wait it out and see what airlines can do for them," she told Sky News.
LATEST IMAGES: BALI VOLCANO PICTURES
11.10am: Danger of “strong, explosive eruption”
PVMBG official Gede Suantika said: "The activity of Mount Agung has entered the magmatic eruption phase, it is still spewing ash at the moment, but we need to monitor and be cautious over the possibility of a strong, explosive eruption.”
10am: Plume stretches 4,000m into sky
The thick plume of smoke and ash has reached 4,000m (13,100 feet), according to the BBC.
9.40am: Aviation warning raised to red
Indonesia has upgraded its Volcano Observatory Notice for Aviation (VONA) to red, its highest warning, and said the ash-cloud top could reach 19,654 feet (6,142 metres) above sea level or higher.
The VONA said the ash cloud was moving to east-southeast and seismic activity was characterised by low frequency earthquakes.
The red warning means that an eruption is imminent or underway with significant emission of ash into the atmosphere.
AFP Getty
9.37am: Airports stay open for now despite eruption
Officials said the airport would remain open for now as the ash could be avoided.
"The volcanic ash has only been detected in a certain area," the airport and other officials said in a joint statement.
All domestic flights and the airport itself were operating as "normal" and tests for ash had been negative, it said.
9.35am: ‘Uncontrollable force of nature unfolds’
Photographer Emilio Kuzma-Floyd, who lives in Bali, shared incredible footage of Mount Agung erupting as the sun rose over Bali this morning.
He tweeted: “As it happens, #mountagung erupting at sunrise with #mountbatur in the foreground. Can't describe the feeling of seeing such an uncontrollable force of nature unfolding.”
Reuters
9.20am: Magmatic eruption since last night
Volcanologist Dr Janine Krippner tweeted: “Since last night the #Agung eruption has been magmatic, not phreatic.”
A phreatic eruption is a steam-blast eruption caused when magma heats up water beneath the ground.
Magma - molten rock - now has been detected close to the volcano's surface, according to officials.
9.17am: 'Keep away from disaster prone areas'
BNPB Indonesia tweeted: “Hi Guys, stay alert and follow recommendation from PVMBG. Bali is safe just keep away from disaster prone areas.”
9.15am Alice Foster taking over live reporting
6.30am: About 2,000 passengers standed due to eruption
About 2,000 passengers, mainly from Australia, were stranded at Bali airport due to the eruption.
A spokesman for Bali airport has said that at least 28 flights have been disrupted by the volcano
Ngurah Rai airport spokesman Arie Ahsanurrohim said: "We try to make the airport as comfortable as possible for the passengers affected, so far we provide special rooms for them to unpack their luggage and video entertainment so they can relax a bit.”
EPA
3am Red warning issued due to volcanic activity
A red aviation warning has been issued to airlines because of the danger posed by volcanic ash. The level was upgraded from orange.
1.30am Flights resume to island
Some airlines are resuming flights to Bali this morning offering relief to stranded holidaymakers.
Carriers including Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin will "assess the situation" after restarting some services.
1.20am Growing plume of smoke reaches new high
Ash cloud spewing from Bali volcano reaches 3,000 meters (9,850 feet) high.
Magma Indonesia
4.50pm: Bali volcano webcam captures bright light at volcano
4.38pm Volcanic ash falls in village on slopes of volcano
BNBP spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said that volcanic ash had fallen in a village on the slopes of the volcano.
He said: “Volcanic ash eruption from #Agung fell in the village of Besakih, village Pempatan, village on the slopes of Temukus SW of Agung.
"The eruption has been phreatic. The evacuation orderly, self-contained community.”
4.37pm: 'Go over preparation information to be safe'
Volcanologist Dr Janine Krippner tweeted: “Hi my friends in #Bali, remember that what ever happens with #Agung, you've got this.
“You've been preparing for 2 months. Go over the preparation information to be safe. Take care of your mental health and happiness.”
4.27pm: More than 2,000 experience flight cancellations
BNBP spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho tweeted: "2,087 passengers experiencing cancellations of international services in Bali." BALI VOLCANO LATEST: FLIGHTS
4.13pm: Burning red glow seen at top of volcano
BNBP spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho shared an image showing a burning red glow at the top of Mount Agung.
In a tweet, he asked whether red light seen at the summit could mean the eruption is entering the magmatic phase. He later deleted the tweet.
4pm: Several flights cancelled
Several international flights, including from several cities in Australia and to the Netherlands and Malaysia, have been cancelled and re-routed due to the eruption.
These included flights operated by KLM, Qantas, AirAsia, and Virgin, according to the official website of Bali's Ngurah Rai International Airport.
Jetstar Airways tweeted: “Volcanic ash from #MountAgung disrupting #Bali flights - flights cancelled this evening; some of tomorrow's flights delayed to allow for further assessment of flying conditions in the morning.”
Terlihat nyala api atau bara di puncak Gunung Agung pada 25/11/2017 pukul 23 WITA. Asap kelabu hitam masih terus keluar dari kawah. Tim PVMBG masih terus menganalisis dan memantau intensif erupsi Gunung Agung. pic.twitter.com/LBGe6xkBj4
— Sutopo Purwo Nugroho (@Sutopo_BNPB) November 25, 2017
3.50pm: Flights in and out of Bali still 'normal'
J. A. Barata, a spokesman for Indonesia's Transportation Ministry, insisted that flights in and out of Bali remain "normal".
"Tactical guidance for departure and arrival aircraft has been applied. This hasn't endangered any flights," he said.
3.49pm: 'Incandescence' seen at peak of volcano
BNBP spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho shared an update and an image showing a red light at the peak of the volcano.
He said: "Incandescence at the peak of #Agung on 25/11/2017 at 23:00 pm.
"Gray ash is still coming out of the crater. The PVMBG team continues to analyze and monitor intensive eruptions of Mount Agung."
3.47pm: More than 25,000 evacuees at points of refuge
More than 25,000 evacuees remain at points of refuge across Bali as of Saturday afternoon, according to the BNPB.
3.10pm: Ash cloud moves west-southwest
The volcano alert remains at level 3 and the Volcano Observatory Notice for Aviation (VONA) is still orange.
The latest VONA alert said: “Eruption and ash emission is continuing.
“Best estimate of ash-cloud top is around 14,854 FT (4,642m) above sea level, may be higher than what can be observed clearly.
“Ash coud moving to west-southwest. Seismic activity is characterized by low frequency earthquakes.”
AFP Getty
2.40pm: International airport remains safe
BNBP spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho tweeted: "The spread of the volcanic ash from Mount Agung travels to the southwest from the summit crater.
"Ngurah Rai International Airport is safe. There is no influence on the flight line in Bali. Bali is safe."
2.30pm Flight cancellations after eruption
BNPB spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said that the ash column stretched 1,500 metres into the sky, forcing the cancellation of some flights to and from Bali.
It is thought that Qantas and Jetstar have diverted or cancelled at least nine flights due to the risk from volcanic ash.
Magma Indonesia
2pm: Mount Agung erupts again at 5.30pm local time
BNPB spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said that Mount Agung erupted again at 5.30pm local time on Saturday.
In a message on Twitter, he called for people not to panic and said they should stay out of the up to to 7.5 kilometre volcano danger zone.