Bali volcano flights update: ‘No signs of ANY flights’ Tourists STRANDED as Agung erupts
THOUSANDS of tourists are stranded in Bali after a huge volcanic ash cloud forced the closure of the island’s main airport.
Bali’s highest volcano Mount Agung is spewing a huge cloud of volcanic ash amid fears that a larger, more violent eruption is imminent.
Ngurah Rai International Airport in Denpasar is scheduled to remain closed until at least 7am on Wednesday (11pm GMT on Tuesday).
Neela Debnath, who is on holiday in Bali, said: “We're frustrated at the prospect of our flight getting cancelled.
“We're travelling on Thursday with Emirates and all flights with the airline have been cancelled until tomorrow. So we could also have our flight cancelled.
"We can see the airport - Ngurah Rai International Airport (Denpasar) - from our hotel and there is no sign of any flights. When we first arrived, there was a steady stream of planes taking off and landing.
"We are staying in the tourist area of Jimbaran, just below the main hub of Kuta, which is about 70km from the volcano. So far we haven't seen any signs of eruption or felt any tremors..
"We spoke to a local restaurant owner who told us that she's met lots of stranded tourists who've had flights cancelled."
A total of 443 flights, both domestic and international, were affected by the closure of the airport, about 60 km (37 miles) from the Bali volcano which is spewing smoke and ash high into the sky.
Bali volcano: Mount Agung spews ash cloud after eruption
An estimated 2,000 people are attempting to get refunds and reschedule tickets at the airport, which is the second biggest in Indonesia.
"There are thousands of people stranded here at the airport," said Nitin Sheth, a tourist from India.
"They have to go to some other airport and they are trying to do that, but the government or authorities here are not helping."
A more relaxed tourist, Matthew Radix from Perth, said: “We're on holidays so it doesn't matter.
"We don't know what's going to happen but we can get back to the bar and have another drink."
The airport operator said 201 international flights and 242 domestic ones had been hit.
Sean Tipton, from the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA), said a large number of mainly Australian tourists have been stranded.
He said: “Ash and aircrafts don’t mix. The main airport has been closed and won’t be opened until it is safe to do so.”
A red aviation warning has been issued, while the volcano threat has been raised to the highest possible level.