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Time Out
08-07-2025
- Time Out
Is it safe to travel to Bali? Latest advice after another volcanic eruption
A staggering 17,000 islands comprise Indonesia, and many of them are hugely popular holiday destinations. However, lots of these islands are volcanic, due to the country's position on the Pacific Ring of Fire, and one of its most active sites has just erupted – again. Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki is on the island of Flores and has just erupted for the third time in three months, spewing an 18 km tall cloud of ash into the air, depositing debris onto nearby homes and leading to serious flight delays to and from Bali. It's clearly not ideal if you have a trip planned, so here is all the information on whether it is safe to travel amidst the eruption's aftermath, and what you could be entitled to if your travel is affected. Is it safe to travel to Bali? Yes, but you'll need to check if your flight is still running. Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, an active volcano on the Indonesian island of Flores, erupted once again on Monday July 7. Volcanic ash and materials were sent up to 18km into the air, and according to the country's Geology Agency, avalanches of gas clouds were sent down its slopes, depositing debris on the rooftops of nearby villages. Thankfully, no casualties have been reported so far. Where was the volcanic eruption in Indonesia? Indonesia is spread across the Pacific Ring of Fire and is home to roughly 130 active volcanoes. One of these is Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, on the island of Flores (one of the Lesser Sunda Islands in the eastern half of the archipelago) and that's the one which has just erupted. Bali is to the west of Flores. Have flights to Bali been cancelled? Yes, flights have been cancelled or severely delayed due to the ash cloud, many of which are operated by airlines such as Jetstar, Qantas and Virgin Australia. Also, according to the Independent, data from FlightRadar showed arrivals to Bali from Bangkok, Jakarta, and Singapore, among others, were all diverted on Sunday evening before the eruption, and delays in services leaving the island are expected to continue. However, a customer service agent from InJourney Airports told AFP that Bali's Ngurah Rai International Airport is operating as normal. What is the UK Foreign Office saying? So far, the FCDO's advice only advises against travel to parts of Indonesia, which are the volcanic sites as follows: Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, on Flores Island, East Nusa Tenggara Province, to within 7km of the crater Mount Sinabung, Karo Regency, North Sumatra, to within 5km of the crater Mount Marapi, West Sumatra, to within 3km of the crater Mount Semeru, Lumajang Regency, East Java, to within 5km of the crater and in the south-east of Mount Semura to within 500m from any riverbank of the Besuk Kobokan river for 13km from the crater Mount Ruang, Northern Sulawesi, to within 7km of the crater Mount Ibu, North Maluku Province, to within 7km of the crater On the safety and security section, it reads: 'There are lots of active volcanoes in Indonesia. They can erupt without warning and eruptions have caused destruction and fatalities. The authorities usually evacuate villages within a 3km to 7km radius of the eruption.' 'Check news reports and updates on volcanic activity (in Bahasa language) before travelling to areas that are prone to volcanic activity. While near any volcano, you should: respect exclusion zones; monitor local media; stay alert and listen to any local warnings; follow the advice of the local authorities, including any evacuation orders.' What are your rights if you've booked a trip to Bali? Because travel has not been advised against, you won't simply be able to cancel without a penalty. Instead, contact your travel provider directly to see what can be done if you would prefer not to travel. Most of the flights affected by this eruption operate from Australia or southeast Asia. If you're a UK passenger, you'll only be covered by UK law if you departed from a British airport, are arriving at one on a UK or EU airline, or arrive at an EU airport on a UK airline. So, if your flight has been cancelled but does not fall under one of these categories, the course of action is the airline's prerogative (most will book you onto the next available flight for free, some will cover food and accommodation costs). When was the last eruption in Indonesia?
Euronews
08-07-2025
- Euronews
Flights to and from Bali cancelled as volcano erupts in Indonesia
Flights to and from Bali have been disrupted after Indonesia's rumbling Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki erupted twice on Monday. The explosions sent a column of grey smoke up to 18 kilometres into the sky, dumping ash on nearby villages. No casualties were immediately reported. The volcano on Flores island has been at the highest alert level since an eruption on 18 June, when air traffic was also plunged into chaos. Indonesia's Geology Agency recorded an avalanche of searing gas clouds mixed with rocks and lava travelling up to 5 kilometres down the slopes of the mountain. The initial column of hot clouds was the volcano's highest since the major eruption in November 2024 that killed nine people and injured dozens, said Muhammad Wafid, the Geology Agency chief. 'An eruption of that size certainly carries a higher potential for danger, including its impact on aviation,' Wafid told The Associated Press. 'We shall reevaluate to enlarge its danger zone that must be cleared of villagers and tourist activities.' Indonesia eruption leads to flight cancellations The eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki led to a number of cancellations and delays on Monday and into Tuesday. Ahmad Syaugi Shahab, a spokesperson for Bali's Ngurah Rai international airport, said the airport was running normally, as monitoring showed the volcanic ash had not affected Bali's airspace. But by Monday afternoon, at least 24 flights between Bali and Australia, Singapore and South Korea were cancelled and many others delayed, while flights on four domestic routes were cancelled. Flights operated by Jetstar, Qantas, Indonesia AirAsia and Virgin Australia are among those disrupted. "Some Virgin Australia Bali services have been cancelled following the eruption of Mount Lewotobi earlier today," a Virgin Australia spokesperson told news outlet ABC on Monday. "The safety of our guests and crew is our highest priority and our team of expert meteorologists are closely monitoring the situation and ash cloud activity. "We regret the impact of this on guests' travel plans and encourage guests travelling to or from Bali to closely monitor their flight status via the Virgin Australia website or app." Qantas also told the ABC: 'Safety is always our top priority, and we will contact customers directly if their flight is disrupted." Jetstar also said it will contact customers directly if there are any changes to their schedule. Two airports in the cities of Maumere and Larantuka in East Nusa Tenggara province remained closed on Tuesday, according to Abdul Muhari, the National Disaster Mitigation Agency spokesperson. Is it safe to travel to Bali? The UK's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has not updated its travel advice for Indonesia with specific warnings relating to the recent volcanic eruption. However, it does advise against all travel to a number of volcanoes in the country: If I cancel my trip to Bali, am I entitled to compensation? Travellers can expect refunds or alternative travel arrangements if their flights or accommodation are cancelled by airlines, providers or tour companies. Most airlines will rebook you on their next available flight to your destination at no extra charge, and some will reimburse you for accommodation, meals and phone call costs while waiting for the flight. However, without an official 'no-go' warning from foreign governments, travellers who choose to cancel their trip to Bali are unlikely to receive reimbursement or compensation, as this is considered 'disinclination to travel'. Some travel insurance policies include trip disruption or natural disaster cover, but not every company will offer this, so make sure you have the correct insurance before you leave. Why is volcanic ash dangerous for planes? Volcanic ash clouds pose a risk to planes because they can cause severe damage to aircraft engines and affect flight controls. When ash enters a plane engine, the glass inside it melts, which then sticks to various other engine parts. Sensors can fail, and the ash can block the thousands of tiny holes that direct air through the turbine blades to keep the engine cool. Flying through an ash cloud is also a bit like sandblasting the outside of the plane and can reduce visibility for pilots by damaging the glass in the cockpit. Why is Indonesia an eruption hotspot? There are around 130 active volcanoes in Indonesia. The archipelago sits between the most seismically active region of the world, the Pacific Ring of Fire, and the Alpide Belt, an area where there are a large number of eruptions and earthquakes. Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki last erupted in May and also in March. Indonesia's volcanology agency says it has erupted a total of 427 times this year. Though people who live close to the volcano have learned to live with it, seismic activity can still be very dangerous. An eruption last November killed nine people and injured dozens more.
Washington Post
07-07-2025
- Washington Post
Indonesia's Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki volcano erupts and sends searing-hot ash miles high
JAKARTA, Indonesia — Indonesia's rumbling Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki erupted twice on Monday, sending a column of volcanic materials up to 18 kilometers (11 miles) into the sky, dumping ash on villages and causing flight cancellations. No casualties were immediately reported. The volcano on Flores island has been at the highest alert level since an eruption on June 18 , and an exclusion zone had been doubled to a 7-kilometer (4.3-mile) radius as eruptions became more frequent. Indonesia's Geology Agency recorded an avalanche of searing gas clouds mixed with rocks and lava traveling up to 5 kilometers (3 miles) down the slopes of the 1,584-meter (5,197-foot) mountain. Observations from drones showed lava filling the crater, indicating deep movement of magma that set off earthquakes. The initial column of hot clouds that rose just after 11:00 a.m. local time (0305 GMT) was the volcano's highest since the major eruption in November 2024 that killed nine people and injured dozens, said Muhammad Wafid, the Geology Agency chief. It also erupted in March . 'An eruption of that size certainly carries a higher potential for danger, including its impact on aviation,' Wafid told The Associated Press. 'We shall reevaluate to enlarge its danger zone that must be cleared of villagers and tourist activities.' The volcano erupted again just after 7:30 p.m. (1100 GMT), spewing lava and sending clouds of ash up to 13 kilometers (8 miles) into the air, according to the Center for Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation. By Monday afternoon, at least 24 flights between Bali and Australia, Singapore and South Korea were cancelled and many others delayed, while flights on four domestic routes were cancelled, said Ahmad Syaugi Shahab, spokesperson for Bali's Ngurah Rai international airport. He said the airport was running normally despite the cancellations, as monitoring showed the volcanic ash had not affected Bali's airspace. Falling ash after the initial eruption blanketed several villages with debris and blocked sunlight for almost half an hour, Hadi Wijaya, head of the Center for Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation, said in a statement. He said volcanic materials, including thumb-size fragments of gravel and ash, were thrown up to 8 kilometers (5 miles) from the crater. He warned residents to be vigilant about heavy rainfall that could trigger lava flows in rivers originating from the volcano. Photos and videos circulated on social media showed the ash cloud expanding into a mushroom shape as tons of volcanic debris covered houses up to their rooftops in nearby villages. Some residents ran in panic under the rain of volcanic material or fled with motorbikes and cars. Monday's eruptions were the result of the accumulation of energy due to a blockage of magma in the crater, which reduced detectable seismic activity while building up pressure, Wijaya said. The initial eruption was one of Indonesia's largest since 2010 when Mount Merapi, the country's most volatile volcano, erupted on the densely populated island of Java. That killed 353 people and forced over 350,000 people to evacuate. Indonesia is an archipelago of more than 280 million people with frequent seismic activity. It has 120 active volcanoes and sits along the 'Ring of Fire,' a horseshoe-shaped series of seismic fault lines encircling the Pacific Basin. ___ Associated Press journalists Edna Tarigan in Jakarta and Firdia Lisnawati in Bali contributed to this report.
CBS News
07-07-2025
- CBS News
Indonesia's Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki volcano erupts, sending searing-hot ash 11 miles high and causing flight cancellations
Indonesia's rumbling Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki erupted twice on Monday, sending a column of volcanic materials up to 11 miles into the sky, dumping ash on villages and causing dozens flight cancellations. No casualties were immediately reported. The volcano on Flores island has been at the highest alert level since an eruption on June 18, and an exclusion zone was doubled to a 4.3-mile radius as eruptions became more frequent. Indonesia's Geology Agency recorded an avalanche of searing gas clouds mixed with rocks and lava traveling up to 3 miles down the slopes of the 5,197-foot mountain. Observations from drones showed lava filling the crater, indicating deep movement of magma that set off earthquakes. Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki erupts, as seen from Nangahale village in Sikka, East Nusa Tenggara on July 7, 2025. ARNOLD WELIANTO/AFP via Getty Images The initial column of hot clouds that rose just after 11:00 a.m. local time (0305 GMT) was the volcano's highest since a major eruption in November 2024 that killed nine people and injured dozens, said Muhammad Wafid, the Geology Agency chief. It also erupted in March. "An eruption of that size certainly carries a higher potential for danger, including its impact on aviation," Wafid told The Associated Press. "We shall reevaluate to enlarge its danger zone that must be cleared of villagers and tourist activities." In a statement, Wafid urged the public and tourists to stay at least four miles from the eruption, remain calm and follow the directions of the local government. "The public is asked not to believe information from unclear sources," Wafid said. "In addition, people around disaster-prone areas should be aware of the potential for lava floods if heavy rain occurs.". The volcano erupted again just after 7:30 p.m. (1100 GMT), spewing lava and sending clouds of ash up to 8 miles into the air, according to the Center for Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation. By Monday afternoon, at least 24 flights between Bali and Australia, Singapore and South Korea were cancelled and many others were delayed. Flights on four domestic routes were cancelled, said Ahmad Syaugi Shahab, spokesperson for Bali's Ngurah Rai international airport. He said the airport was running normally despite the cancellations, as monitoring showed the volcanic ash had not affected Bali's airspace. "Several airlines serving the routes to Labuan Bajo (on Flores), Australia, Singapore, and South Korea have confirmed cancellations and delays," he said in a statement. He said the airlines included Virgin Australia, Jetstar Airways and AirAsia Indonesia. Australia's Jetstar said several flights were cancelled "due to volcanic ash caused by an eruption of Mount Lewotobi." Falling ash after the initial eruption blanketed several villages with debris and blocked sunlight for almost half an hour, Hadi Wijaya, head of the Center for Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation, said in a statement. He said volcanic materials, including thumb-size fragments of gravel and ash, were thrown up to 5 miles from the crater. He warned residents to be vigilant about heavy rainfall that could trigger lava flows in rivers originating from the volcano. Photos and videos circulated on social media showed the ash cloud expanding into a mushroom shape as tons of volcanic debris covered houses up to their rooftops in nearby villages. Some residents ran in panic under the rain of volcanic material or fled with motorbikes and cars. Monday's eruptions were the result of the accumulation of energy due to a blockage of magma in the crater, which reduced detectable seismic activity while building up pressure, Wijaya said. The initial eruption was one of Indonesia's largest since 2010 when Mount Merapi, the country's most volatile volcano, erupted on the densely populated island of Java. That killed 353 people and forced over 350,000 people to evacuate. Indonesia is an archipelago of more than 280 million people with frequent seismic activity. It has 120 active volcanoes and sits along the "Ring of Fire," a horseshoe-shaped series of seismic fault lines encircling the Pacific Basin. Agence France-Presse contributed to this report.
Associated Press
07-07-2025
- Associated Press
Indonesia's Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki volcano erupts and sends searing-hot ash miles high
JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Indonesia's rumbling Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki erupted twice on Monday, sending a column of volcanic materials up to 18 kilometers (11 miles) into the sky, dumping ash on villages and causing flight cancellations. No casualties were immediately reported. The volcano on Flores island has been at the highest alert level since an eruption on June 18, and an exclusion zone had been doubled to a 7-kilometer (4.3-mile) radius as eruptions became more frequent. Indonesia's Geology Agency recorded an avalanche of searing gas clouds mixed with rocks and lava traveling up to 5 kilometers (3 miles) down the slopes of the 1,584-meter (5,197-foot) mountain. Observations from drones showed lava filling the crater, indicating deep movement of magma that set off earthquakes. The initial column of hot clouds that rose just after 11:00 a.m. local time (0305 GMT) was the volcano's highest since the major eruption in November 2024 that killed nine people and injured dozens, said Muhammad Wafid, the Geology Agency chief. It also erupted in March. 'An eruption of that size certainly carries a higher potential for danger, including its impact on aviation,' Wafid told The Associated Press. 'We shall reevaluate to enlarge its danger zone that must be cleared of villagers and tourist activities.' The volcano erupted again just after 7:30 p.m. (1100 GMT), spewing lava and sending clouds of ash up to 13 kilometers (8 miles) into the air, according to the Center for Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation. By Monday afternoon, at least 24 flights between Bali and Australia, Singapore and South Korea were cancelled and many others delayed, while flights on four domestic routes were cancelled, said Ahmad Syaugi Shahab, spokesperson for Bali's Ngurah Rai international airport. He said the airport was running normally despite the cancellations, as monitoring showed the volcanic ash had not affected Bali's airspace. Falling ash after the initial eruption blanketed several villages with debris and blocked sunlight for almost half an hour, Hadi Wijaya, head of the Center for Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation, said in a statement. He said volcanic materials, including thumb-size fragments of gravel and ash, were thrown up to 8 kilometers (5 miles) from the crater. He warned residents to be vigilant about heavy rainfall that could trigger lava flows in rivers originating from the volcano. Photos and videos circulated on social media showed the ash cloud expanding into a mushroom shape as tons of volcanic debris covered houses up to their rooftops in nearby villages. Some residents ran in panic under the rain of volcanic material or fled with motorbikes and cars. Monday's eruptions were the result of the accumulation of energy due to a blockage of magma in the crater, which reduced detectable seismic activity while building up pressure, Wijaya said. The initial eruption was one of Indonesia's largest since 2010 when Mount Merapi, the country's most volatile volcano, erupted on the densely populated island of Java. That killed 353 people and forced over 350,000 people to evacuate. Indonesia is an archipelago of more than 280 million people with frequent seismic activity. It has 120 active volcanoes and sits along the 'Ring of Fire,' a horseshoe-shaped series of seismic fault lines encircling the Pacific Basin.
