Authorities have raised the threat alert for Mt Agung to its highest level, as fears of an imminent eruption from the Bali volcano led to the closure of the island"™s busy airport and the evacuation of people within 10km of the mountain.
The Geological Agency of Indonesia today raised the alert level for the rumbling volcano from three to four, as magma is now believed to be close to the crater.
The exclusion zone has been extended from 7.5km to 10km.
The erupting volcano has now forced the complete closure of the island"™s airport for the next 18 hours, throwing the travel plans of thousands into chaos.
Denpasar"™s Ngurah Rai International Airport said 445 flights "” 196 international and 249 domestic "” and 59,000 passengers were affected.
Smoke and thick ash is spewing 3400 metres into the air above the mountain…
