50,000 flee amid fears of Bali volcanic eruption

KLUNGKUNG, Indonesia - Nearly 50,000 people have been evacuated from near a volcano on the Indonesian holiday island of Bali that officials said is becoming more active and could erupt soon.

Mount Agung, about 75 kilometers from the tourist hub of Kuta, has been rumbling since August, threatening to erupt for the first time since 1963 when about 1,100 people died when the volcano last erupted.

Several countries including the United Kingdom, Australia and Singapore have issued travel advisories for their citizens, warning of possible flight disruptions and evacuations.

Indonesia's disaster mitigation agency said on Monday 48,540 people had fled, although the number was expected to rise because more than 60,000 people lived in the danger zone. "There are still people who don't want to be evacuated," Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, a spokesman for the disaster mitigation agency, said at a news conference.

"The reason is first, the mountain hasn't erupted yet. Second, they are worried about their livestock."

Authorities have imposed a 12-km exclusion zone around the crater, as increasing volcanic activity on Sunday sent strong tremors through areas in the eastern part of one of the world's most popular tourist destinations.

False reports

Officials urged the public to remain calm amid false reports and videos circulating online of an eruption.

"The latest analysis indicates that Mount Agung's seismic energy is increasing and has the potential to erupt," the National Vulcanology Center said. "However, no one can predict exactly when there will be an eruption."

Flights at Bali's airport were operating normally on Sunday, as were tourist spots across the rest of the island.

Thousands of evacuees were being housed in makeshift shelters including town halls and school gyms and tents in villages around the volcano, and authorities expect the numbers to climb.

"If the number of evacuees exceeds our maximum capacity, we have asked that every public hall in the district be prepared to become evacuation camps," said Putu Widiada, head of local disaster management agency.

The shelters were well stocked with food, water, blankets and tents.

The National Disaster Management Agency has sent food and logistical supplies to the area, while also calling for public donations.

Many residents are still making daytime trips to their homes and life is largely continuing as normal in the area.

Some 2,000 cows have been also evacuated from the flanks of the volcano.

Nengah Satiya, who left home with his wife three days ago, said he had been returning to the danger zone to tend to his pigs and chickens.

"There are many livestock in our village but nobody is taking them," Satiya said.

Indonesia has nearly 130 active volcanoes, more than any other country. Many Indonesians live near volcanoes because lava flows can make the surrounding soil and land fertile for farming.

Reuters - AP - AFP

(China Daily 09/26/2017 page11)