Even MORE tourist hotspot flights cancelled after gargantuan volcanic eruption that spewed ash & sparked tsunami fear

The Irish Sun

17 hours ago

DOZENS more flights to tourist hotspots have been cancelled after a
massive ash cloud exploded from a volcano in Indonesia.
Mount Lweotobi Laki-laki was seen
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A gargantuan mushroom cloud was seen exploding out of the volcano
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Dozens of flights have been cancelled or delayed because of the volcano
Credit: AFP
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Plumes of ash up to 11km shot into the air
Authorities raised the highest red alert and residents have been urged to avoid activities within a 7km radius around the crater.
Multiple airlines have since delayed or cancelled flights to and from Bali, the popular holiday destination west of Flores.
These include Air India, Air New Zealand, Jetstar, Juneyao Airlines, Singapore Airlines and Virgin Australia.
Bali's Gusti Ngurah rai International Airport showed that almost 40 flights have been cancelled due to the explosion.
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A number of domestic AirAsia flights heading to Flores have also been axed.
Japan's Meteorological Agency is investigating whether the eruption - with a 16,000-metre plume of ash - could spark a tsunami.
The organisation said: "The possibility of a tsunami hitting Japan is currently under investigation.
"If this eruption were to cause a tsunami to reach Japan, it is expected to arrive as early as 10pm in the Okinawa Prefecture area."
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They added: "The expected maximum height of the tsunami is unknown."
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The humongous mushroom cloud towered over horrified locals who watched on as dark smoke spewed into the air.
Visual observations taken earlier this week saw a significant increase in
The country's
It also warned of potential
Volcano Observation Post Officer Yohanes Kolli Sorywutun confirmed the eruption in a statement.
He said: "There was an
He added that there was an "observed ash column height of 10,000m above the peak (11,584 m above sea level)".
Authorities in Indonesia said: "The public and tourists are advised not to carry out activities within a radius of 7km and the southwest-northeast sector 8 km from the eruption center."
They also advised all those nearby to "remain calm and follow the directions of the local government".
"People around disaster-prone areas should be aware of the potential for lava floods if heavy rain occurs," authorities also warned.
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Almost 40 flights have been cancelled to and from Bali
Credit: EPA
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People watch as Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki spews volcanic materials into the air
Credit: AP
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The country's volcanology agency said it had raised the volcano's alert to its highest and most dangerous level
Credit: Alamy
They provided instructions to the public if they encountered raining ash.
"Residents affected by ash rain are advised to use masks or nose and mouth covers," officials said.
In November last year,
Hot ashes hit several villages, burning down houses including a convent of Catholic nuns.
In April 2024, a remote
Thousands were evacuated and an international airport was closed after Mount Ruang erupted several times.
Within the same month, the 725-metre-tall volcano had already erupted more than half a dozen times, forcing more than 6,000 people to flee their homes.
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10 people died after Mount Lewotobi spewed a fiery column of lava last year
Credit: Reuters