Bali Flights Grounded as Volcano Spews Ash 10km into the Sky

Flights between Australia and Bali have been disrupted after a nearby volcano erupted, spewing ash up to 6 miles into the sky, Al Jazeera reports.

Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki, located on the island of Flores, has been erupting repeatedly since November 3, causing widespread disruption and tragedy.

Jetstar and Virgin Australia have cancelled all flights to and from Denpasar, Bali’s capital, due to the ash cloud. Qantas has also experienced disruptions and is notifying affected passengers directly about alternative options. Flightradar24 shows that AirAsia flights to the island have also been cancelled.

The eruption is particularly concerning for Bali, as Australia is the island’s largest source of international tourism. Australians make up roughly a quarter of the 625,665 visitors to the island in July.

The volcanic activity has already claimed at least nine lives, with 31 injured and over 11,000 evacuated, according to Indonesian authorities. Friday’s eruption was the most significant yet, with the ash column reaching a record height of 10km.

Indonesia, situated within the Pacific “Ring of Fire”, is prone to volcanic eruptions and earthquakes due to its location at the meeting points of multiple tectonic plates.