Eruption of Indonesian Volcano Sparks Travel Chaos

Source: AP

Ash spewing from a volcano on Indonesia's main island of Java has sparked chaos for holidaymakers as airports close and international airlines cancel flights to tourist hotspot Bali, stranding thousands.

Mount Raung in East Java province about 150 kilometers (93 miles) from Bali's international airport has been rumbling for several weeks. The level of activity increased in the past week and on Friday it blasted ash and debris 3,800 meters (12,460 feet) into the air.

Government volcanologist Gede Suantika said the eruption forced authorities to close five airports due to the risks posed by volcanic ash, though two airports on Lombok island reopened Friday afternoon. The transport ministry has told airlines to avoid routes near the mountain. It says a decision about reopening other airports will be made by early evening Friday.

Suantika said lava and ash fall from the 3,332-meter (10,930-feet) -high mountain on Indonesia's most densely populated island has also resulted in the government calling on people to stay away from a three-kilometer (two-mile) high-danger zone around the volcano.

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