Indonesian authorities recently raised the alert level for the Mount Agung volcano to the highest classification, meaning an eruption could be imminent, and this has put the holiday plans for thousands of Australians in limbo. (The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade also issued a travel warning to the island paradise.)
This week, hundreds of small tremors have shaken the mountain. In all, about 10,000 people have left their homes over fears of a volcanic eruption.
“On Saturday, the Indonesian Department of Meteorology, Climate and Geophysics said there had been five small eruptions detected coming from the mountain, and an ash column as high as 1000 metres had been observed.
There had been a “tremendous increase” in volcano activity.
They said locals and tourists should be 12 kilometers away from the crater in some areas.” 1
Jetstar, who flies direct to Bali about 60 times a week hasn’t stopped service, although they are monitoring the situation and Qantas, who flies to Bali once a week, have said their meteorologists are also monitoring activity. They haven’t stopped service either.
In 2016, about 1.2 million Australians visited Indonesia (second only to New Zealand)- it’s their favorite destination and with school holidays underway in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia and the ACT, this time is normally quite busy in Bali. (School holidays start next week for schools in South Australia, Tasmania, and the Northern Territory.)
Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade told travelers to confirm their plans with airlines and monitor local media reports before heading out. However, their level of advice had not changed.
