Indonesia: Airport in Bali closed after volcanic eruption

Ngurah Rai International Airport in the Indonesian tourist island of Bali was closed on June 29 following the volcanic eruption of Mount Agung in the island one day earlier.
Indonesia: Airport in Bali closed after volcanic eruption ảnh 1The airport closure has affected more than 8,000 travellers. (Source: AFP)

Hanoi (VNA) - Ngurah Rai International Airport in the Indonesian tourist island of Bali was closed on June 29 following the volcanic eruption of Mount Agung in the island one day earlier.

The eruption sent thick smoke and ash billowing 2,000m into the air, a local official said.

According to the local authority’s decision, Ngurah Rai airport has been closed from 3am to at least 7pm (Indonesia time) on June 29.

Based on the meteorology agency’s prediction, the volcanic ash will reach the airport on June 29’s morning, said spokesman of the airport Yanus Suprayogi, adding that the airport closure can be extended after 7pm if necessary.

At least 48 flights to and from the airport, including those operated by Malaysia-based AirAsia and Australia's JetStar were canceled as Mount Agung erupted.

The disruption has affected more than 8,000 travellers.

Mount Agung rumbled back to life last year and has been erupting periodically since.

Agung's last major eruption in 1963 killed around 1,600 people and injured hundreds.
Indonesia lies on the Pacific Ring of Fire where several tectonic plates meet and cause 90 percent of the world’s seismic activity. The country is currently home to nearly 130 active volcanoes.-VNA
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