On November 28, Airnav Indonesia, the country's air navigation agency, forced the closure of Bali's main airport for a second day in a row due to volcanic ash from the rumbling volcano Mt. Agung.
this video taken from @madenagi Instagram. Timelapse mode. posted more less from 10 hrs ago. stay safe everyone🙏 pic.twitter.com/hlEta1n8u5
— Lynn Marceau (@celynn88) 27 ноября 2017 г.
According to local media reports, thousands of stranded tourists found refuge in more than 200 evacuation centers in fear of a larger eruption. While an evacuation of those living within a 10 kilometer area of the volcano is underway, most local residents and tourists continue life as normal on the Indonesian resort island.
A little insight into an evacuation camp in the village of Tejakula. #bali #Agung #evacuationcamp #volcano pic.twitter.com/WXqxNeXM9J
— Michelle Matthews (@SecretsHQ) 28 ноября 2017 г.
Holidaymakers currently staying at one of the world's top holiday spots took to social media to share their unusual experience. Some people were delighted to spend extra time on Bali and watch the eruption.
Taking great comfort in the cold, hard crowed-sourced facts of @wikipedia on volcano topics. Only three eruptions of real significance in the past 50 years. Will sleep soundly in #Bali tonight. #agung #volcano
— Michelle Matthews (@SecretsHQ) 28 ноября 2017 г.
Anchored in Amed, Bali and watching Mount Agung erupt 🌋 Spectacular. Exciting. Majestic. Privileged. #agung #bali
— Sailing Rehua ⛵ (@svrehua) 28 ноября 2017 г.
"Getting up at 3 am only to go to Mt. Agung and watch the eruption performance — easy! Our month-long stay on Bali might be extended for an uncertain period, but personally I won't regret it! Locals don't panic, neither we do, the only thing we hope for is that the airport will be opened by the time of our departure," one of the tourists wrote.
"Agung continues its eruption… vacation may be prolonged too," another netizen happily admitted.
Others were irritated and were even scared that they might be stuck on the island.
At first I wasn't scared, but after getting from volcano experts, I now know this is very serious 😳 I'll keep u updated from #Ubud #Agung 🙏
— Kristyn Leon (@Kristyn_leon) 28 ноября 2017 г.
It's interesting on how much Twitter and "news" feeds complain about stranded tourists. To date, I haven't seen A SINGLE post on the status of the 100.000 evacuated persons, their life conditions, their fears for their homes, crops and cattle… #agung #EgocentricWorld
— Thomas Lecocq (@seismotom) 28 ноября 2017 г.
Since the I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport suspended operations on Monday, over 400 international and domestic flights have been grounded, leaving more than 80,000 passengers stranded. With the airspace closure extended till Wednesday, many more flights will be impacted. To assuage travelers' burdens, authorities and local hotels offered them free buses, hotel rooms, free visa extension services and food coupons.
On Monday, as the alert status of Mt. Agung was upgraded to the highest level, Bali's Governor Made Pastika said that some 150,000 people will have to leave their homes on the slopes of Mount Agung. About 40,000 people have already evacuated but others haven't left "because they feel safe or don't want to abandon their livestock."
"Authorities will comb the area to persuade them," the Governor said. "If needed we will forcibly evacuate them," he added. According to official data, the danger zone affects 22 villages and about 90,000 to 100,000 people. Governor Pastika also explained that it might take up to a month to evacuate all those living within 10 kilometers of the crater.
