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.

"Volcanic activity remains high and there are indications of magma rising to the surface and causing tremors," said Sutopo Purwo Nugroho of the National Disaster Management Agency.

"There should be zero public activity within the specified radius in case there is an eruption," Nugroho said.

However, flights at Bali's international airport were operating as normal and there was little disruption to tourism operators across the rest of the island, authorities said.

Nearly 6,000 people have been evacuated so far and that number was expected to rise, officials said.

On Wednesday, Head of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency Willem Rampangilei visited the island to ensure full preparation for the eruption, including evacuation.

"The purpose of my visit here is to check all the preparation. Whether the early warning system can function in line with the procedures, and if eruption occurs, how is the plan for evacuation and where the location for the evacuation," he said.

Indonesia has nearly 130 active volcanoes, more than any other country. A series of eruptions at Mount Agung between 1963 and 1964 killed more than 1,000 people.

Reuters - Xinhua