Bali volcano alert at highest level as eruption ‘imminent’

All flights in and out of the island have been cancelled

Indonesian and regional authorities heightened flight warnings around Bali's Mount Agung on Sunday as the volcano's eruptions sent a plume of volcanic ash and steam more than 6,000 metres into the skies above the popular holiday island.

The Indonesian authorities have now raised the alert to the highest level, fearing an eruption is imminent.

The alert was raised to level 4 just after 6am local time (22:00 GMT).

Ash has covered roads, cars and buildings near the volcano in the northeast of the island, while overnight a red glow of what appeared to be magma could be seen in photographs by Antara, the state news agency.

"The activity of Mount Agung has entered the magmatic eruption phase, it is still spewing ash at the moment, but we need to monitor and be cautious over the possibility of a strong, explosive eruption," said Gede Suantika, an official at the volcanology and geological disaster mitigation agency.

Bali, famous for its surf, beaches and temples, attracted nearly 5 million visitors last year, but business has slumped in areas around the volcano since September when Agung's volcanic tremors began to increase.

Agung rises majestically over eastern Bali at a height of just over 3,000 metres. When it last erupted in 1963 it killed more than 1,000 people and razed several villages.

Australia's Bureau of Meteorology said in an advisory from it's Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VACC) in Darwin that the eruption was "expected to be ongoing".

Maps provided by VACC show an area of ash cloud heading southeast over the neighbouring island of Lombok, away from Bali's capital, Denpasar, where the main international airport is located.

Indonesia also upgraded its Volcano Observatory Notice for Aviation (VONA) to red, its highest warning, and said the ash-cloud top could reach 19,654 feet (6,142 metres) or higher.

The warnings have forced the closure of the island's airport, stranding many holiday makers.

Earlier on Sunday officials had said the airport would remain open as as the ash could be avoided.

Virgin Australia cancelled flights on Sunday afternoon following a change in the aviation colour code from orange to red.

"Due to the significant volcanic ash and current weather conditions, we have made the decision to cancel the rest of today’s flights to and from Bali as a precautionary measure," Virgin said in a statement on its website.

AirAsia also cancelled its remaining flights to Bali and Lombok.

Indonesia's disaster agency had said Bali is "still safe" for tourists except for a 7.5-kilometre (4.7-mile) zone around Mount Agung. The evacuation zone has subsequently been increased.

China's Consulate in Denpasar warned citizens on Sunday to "be prepared for the possibility of being stranded" in Bali.

Reuters