Thousands evacuated as Bali volcano rumbles

DENPASAR, Indonesia - Thousands of residents were evacuated from villages near an active volcano on the Indonesian island of Bali, officials said on Friday, as seismic tremors that began earlier this week rattled some areas and smoke rose above one of the world's most popular tourist spots.

The alert status for Mount Agung in eastern Bali was at 3, one level below the highest, and authorities warned tourists and residents to avoid camping or hiking within a 6-kilometer radius of the crater.

Bali is visited by around 200,000 foreign tourists every month.