On late Friday, Indonesian officials raised the highest possible alert over fears of Mount Agung’s imminent eruption. This is the first time in 54 years that the maximum level of alert has been raised.
The active volcano has been displaying seismic activity, including blasts, crater smoke and tiny eruptions. Hundreds of small tremors have also been felt in the recent week.
Bali has been preparing for a possible eruption of Mount Agung by establishing a hazardous zone, which has recently been extended from 9km to 12km from the crater. Some 10,000 people have already evacuated their homes, and more are expected to flee. Warnings have also been given to 200,000 people in the vicinity.
Several countries, including Singapore and Australia, have already issued travel advisories warning their citizens regarding the situation.
Mount Agung is located around 70 kilometres away from the tourist centre of Kuta. Back in 1963, the eruption of this volcano took the lives of 1,100 people.