{"id":53589,"date":"2017-11-29T06:49:47","date_gmt":"2017-11-29T06:49:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.biphoo.com\/bipnews\/?p=53589"},"modified":"2017-11-29T06:49:47","modified_gmt":"2017-11-29T06:49:47","slug":"bali-volcano-stops-flights-again-as-tourists-struggle-to-get-out","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.biphoo.com\/bipnews\/world-news\/bali-volcano-stops-flights-again-as-tourists-struggle-to-get-out.html","title":{"rendered":"Bali volcano stops flights again as tourists struggle to get out"},"content":{"rendered":"

Bali volcano stops flights again as tourists struggle to get out<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

Bali volcano stops flights again as tourists struggle to get out:- Indonesia shut the airport on its holiday island of Bali for a third consecutive day on Wednesday, as the erupting Mount Agung volcano spewed ash that blocked flight paths and spurred authorities to hasten evacuation efforts.<\/span><\/p>\n

A large plume of white and grey ash and smoke hovered above Agung, after nighttime rain had partially obscured the fiery glow seen at its peak in the last few days.<\/span><\/p>\n

President Joko Widodo implored residents living in a zone around Agung deemed at risk to seek refuge in emergency centres, as winds sending an ash cloud southwest across the island once again halted flights.<\/span><\/p>\n

Bali\u2019s airport, the country\u2019s second biggest, will be shut until at least 7 a.m. on Thursday (2300 GMT on Wednesday), the transport ministry said.<\/span><\/p>\n

Some stranded Chinese tourists appeared confused and upset over their predicament.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAll the Chinese people here feel (it is) dangerous (because of) the mountain,\u201d said Richard Cao. \u201cYou know in China we don\u2019t have such a mountain and it is the first time we faced this kind of problem.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Another said his group had received little help in efforts to leave, apart from being told to take a ferry to the neighbouring island of Java and fly out via Surabaya.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe travel agency left us alone,\u201d said the passenger, who declined to be identified. \u201cThey told us we need to go to Surabaya, but they couldn\u2019t even book the ticket, so why should we go to Surabaya?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Officials of China\u2019s consulate in Bali met tour operators on Tuesday to thrash out steps to help stranded tourists, whom they had warned earlier of the risk of getting stuck.<\/span><\/p>\n

Chinese have overtaken Australians as the top visitors to Bali, making up about a quarter of arrivals in the period from January to September.<\/span><\/p>\n

As many as 443 domestic and international flights were disrupted on Tuesday by the closure of the airport, about 60 km (37 miles) away from Mount Agung.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ten alternative airports are ready to receive diverted inbound flights, the airport operator has said, adding that it was helping people make alternative bookings.<\/span><\/p>\n

Some tourists at Bali\u2019s I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport appeared relaxed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, it\u2019s fine, we are in Bali, we can\u2019t complain,\u201d said stranded Australian Lisa White. \u201cIt\u2019s annoying, but there\u2019re worse things that could happen.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Agung towers over eastern Bali to a height of just over 3,000 meters (9,800 feet). Its last major eruption in 1963 killed more than 1,000 people and razed several villages.<\/span><\/p>\n

Layers of ash coated cars, roofs and roads in an area southeast of the crater. Children wore masks to walk to school.<\/span><\/p>\n

Authorities want residents in a radius of about 8 km to 10 km (5 miles to 6 miles) around the volcano to head for emergency centres, warning a larger eruption could be \u201cimminent\u201d. But some are reluctant to leave homes and livestock unattended.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThose in the 8- to 10-kilometer radius must truly take refuge for safety,\u201d President Widodo told reporters.<\/span><\/p>\n

He also asked emergency services, military and officials to assist evacuees and help stranded tourists get home.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere must not be any victims hit by the eruption,\u201d Widodo said.<\/span><\/p>\n

Source:-\u00a0https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/article\/us-indonesia-volcano\/bali-volcano-stops-flights-again-as-tourists-struggle-to-get-out-idUSKBN1DT07N<\/span><\/p>\n

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