Bali's Mount Agung erupts and spews volcanic ash two kilometres into the air – sparking fears thousands of holidayers could be stranded on island

  • Bali's Mount Agung volcano has erupted on Sunday morning at about 3.21am 
  • The active volcano has experienced regular seismic activity since 2017 
  • In June 2018 an eruption caused major disruptions to flights at Denpasar Airport 

Bali's Mount Agung erupted early on Sunday morning, sending a volcanic ash cloud two kilometres into the sky and sparking fears about flight delays.

The volcano erupted about 3.21am, with authorities maintaining a four kilometre exclusion zone around the mountain amid concerns of further explosions.

Indonesian authorities said Bali's main airport, Ngurah Rai International Airport, was not affected by the eruption.

But the volcano's constant activity is sparking fears thousands of travellers could be stranded on the holiday island.

Holidayers were stuck in Bali for over a week after Mount Agung erupted and sent a thick volcanic ash cloud into the air, making it unsafe for planes to fly in or out.

Bali's Mount Agung has been erupting regularly since 2017 with the most recent on Sunday

Bali's Mount Agung has been erupting regularly since 2017 with the most recent on Sunday 

The volcano's constant activity is sparking fears thousands of travellers could be stranded in another eruption after air traffic arriving to and departing from the popular holiday destination was disrupted in June last year

The volcano's constant activity is sparking fears thousands of travellers could be stranded in another eruption after air traffic arriving to and departing from the popular holiday destination was disrupted in June last year 

Jetstar, Qantas, AirAsia, and Virgin Australia all cancelled flights at Denpasar Airport during the June 2018 incident - affecting about 5,000 travellers. 

'Due to a volcanic ash cloud caused by Mount Agung in Bali, it is currently not safe to operate flights to or from Denpasar Airport,' Jetstar said in a statement at the time. 

Frustrated travellers were stranded for days as flights were delayed, cancelled or turned around. 

Thousands have been evacuated from the area since the mountain began renewed seismic activity in 2017 - with minor eruptions happening regularly.  

Two other active volcanos on the island, Mount Bromo and Mount Merapi, are also on alert with exclusion zones in place. 

A flight board showing cancelled flights due to Bali's Mount Agung erupting in 2018

A flight board showing cancelled flights due to Bali's Mount Agung erupting in 2018 

Frustrated travellers were stranded for days as flights were delayed, cancelled or turned around

Frustrated travellers were stranded for days as flights were delayed, cancelled or turned around 

'This a normal situation of an active volcano and there is no need for the public to panic, as long as they remain outside the danger zone,' spokesperson for the national disaster mitigation agency Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said. 

Some foreign climbers have, however, ignored the exclusion zone and tried to climb Mount Agung - sparking rescue operations. 

Indonesia is prone to earthquakes and volcano eruptions as the archipelago sits on the Pacific 'Ring of Fire' which stretches along the Pacific coastlines to the west coast of North and South America.  

Local government seismologists in the country monitor more than 120 active volcanoes. 

Local government siesmologists in the country monitor more than 120 active volcanos

Local government siesmologists in the country monitor more than 120 active volcanos 

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