THOUSANDS of people are stranded in Bali, Indonesia, many of whom it has emerged are Irish citizens.
The Department of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that a number of Irish citizens are seeking consular assistance in Bali as a volcano threat has left them stranded with no way out of the country.
Indonesian authorities ordered a mass evacuation of people from an expanded danger zone around the volcano earlier today as the alert of major imminent eruption has reached it’s highest level.
Mount Agung has been hurling clouds of white and dark grey ash about 9,800ft into the atmosphere since the weekend and lava is welling up in the crater, sometimes reflected as a reddish-yellow glow in the ash plumes. The explosions can be heard up to 7.5 miles away.
Mount Agung has been threatening eruption for weeks. (Picture: Getty Images)As a result of the danger, the islands international airport has been closed until further notice.
A mudflow of debris and water has been moving down the volcano’s slopes, which has raised risks to surrounding rivers.
A local spokesman told a news conference in Jakarta today that the extension of the danger zone affects 22 villages and about 90,000 to 100,000 people.
He also said that some 40,000 people have evacuated but others have not left because they feel safe or do not want to abandon their livestock, despite the possibility of a larger eruption.
Bali’s airport closed this morning when ash reached its airspace and posed a risk to aircraft.
Airport spokesman Air Ashanurrohim said up to 445 flights were canceled, leaving about 59,000 travelers stranded. The closure will remain in place until at least Tuesday and will be reviewed every 6 hours.
It’s is not yet known precisely how many of those stranded are Irish citizens trying to get home.
One of those trapped on the island is Irish tv personality Laura Whitmore, who seems to be embracing the extra few days in the holiday destination.
