Bali volcano: Tourists cram into BOAT to flee Mt Agung eruption - more flights cancelled
TOURISTS stranded in Bali after the airport was closed and flights cancelled over Mount Agung eruption fears have fled the island in BOATS to avoid another explosion.
Explosions from the mountain have been heard more than seven miles away and red-hot lava is welling up in the crater, sometimes seen in the reddish glow of huge ash plumes.
The national airport has been shut for almost three days thanks to a huge 7-mile high pillar of thick black smoke and ash which has spread across the island.
Holidaymakers have been forced to abandon their idyllic beach holiday homes and many spent hours queuing at the airport as hundreds of flights have been cancelled.
On Tuesday it was announced that Bali airport, about 60 km (37 miles) from the volcano, will remain closed for a second day.
AFP
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While a spokesman today confirmed the airport will reopen on Wednesday, many have still found their flights cancelled - leaving them with little alternative way to leave the island.
And some have chosen to think outside the box, cramming into small boats to leave Bali for a neighbouring island.
Images from Padangbai harbour in Karangasem Regency show packs of holidaymakers squeezing onto some yachts and motorboats with all their suitcases, backpacks and luggage.
A total of 443 flights, both domestic and international, were affected by the closure at the airport on Tuesday.
AFP
AFP
A report from local aviation navigation authorities showed that "aircraft flight channels are covered with volcanic ash”, Indonesia’s transport ministry said in a statement.
The wind on Wednesday had reportedly changed direction, meaning the airport could now open.
The chaos comes as the National Board for Disaster Management in Bali has reduced the warning from Red to Orange.
In an update posted on its Facebook page, the group said it said the volcanic tremors felt near the volcano had decreased.
Mount Agung latest pictures: Volcano eruption begins
Tue, November 28, 2017Indonesian authorities raised the state of alert to its highest level for the volcano, Mount Agung, after thick ash started shooting thousands of meters into the air with increasing intensity
A long exposure photograph shows the Mount Agung volcano spewing hot volcanic ash seen from Amed in Karangasem, Bali, Indonesia, 28 November 2017
It also said the distribution of volcanic ash has moved to the southeast and no longer covers the airspace, meaning the airport could be opened.
The decision to resume operations followed an emergency meeting at the airport, weighed up weather conditions, tests and data from AirNav and other groups, AirNav added.
Singapore Airlines Ltd said it would resume flights between Singapore and Bali on Wednesday. Australia's Qantas Airways Ltd said it and budget arm Jetstar would run 16 flights to Australia on Thursday to ferry home 3,800 stranded customers.
