A volcano on the Indonesian tourist island of Bali has erupted for the first time in 54 years. The country's National Disaster Mitigation Agency said the eruption of Mount Agung began yesterday.
The agency has advised people to stay away from areas within a 7.5 kilometer radius of the volcano. BNPB spokesman, Sutopo Purwo Nguroho said in a Twitter post that the volcano belched smoke as high as 700 meter above its summit.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a travel advisory that volcanic eruptions could result in ash clouds that could severely disrupt air travel, leading to closures of affected airports.
Authorities said flights in and out of Bali's international airport have so far not been affected.
Nearly 1,600 people died when Mount Agung last erupted in 1963. It stirred to life again in September, prompting about 140,000 people to leave the area. Mount Agung lies some 75 kilometers from Bali's tourist areas, which attract millions of tourists every year.
The agency has advised people to stay away from areas within a 7.5 kilometer radius of the volcano. BNPB spokesman, Sutopo Purwo Nguroho said in a Twitter post that the volcano belched smoke as high as 700 meter above its summit.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a travel advisory that volcanic eruptions could result in ash clouds that could severely disrupt air travel, leading to closures of affected airports.
Authorities said flights in and out of Bali's international airport have so far not been affected.
Nearly 1,600 people died when Mount Agung last erupted in 1963. It stirred to life again in September, prompting about 140,000 people to leave the area. Mount Agung lies some 75 kilometers from Bali's tourist areas, which attract millions of tourists every year.