Indonesia: flights cancelled due to volcano eruption

Thousands of tourists are stuck on Bali island in Indonesia as flights were cancelled after the Agung volcano eruption, sending thick ash into the sky for the second time in a week.

Previously on November 25, the volcano spewed an ash column of 4,000m into the sky. The incident interrupted at least 28 flights to the Indonesian tourist island, affecting some 2,000 passengers, mostly from Australia.

Eruptions at Mount Agung during 1963-1964 killed more than 1,600 people and injured hundreds.

The volcano became active again in September this year, forcing Indonesian authorities to issue the highest warning level. Up to 140,000 people living near the volcano had to evacuate and returned home after the warning was lifted. To date, about 30,000 of them have been relocated.

Indonesia lies on the Pacific Ring of Fire where several tectonic plates meet and cause seismic activities. The country is home to nearly 130 active volcanoes.

In 2010, Mount Merapi on Java island, considered one of the most active and dangerous volcanoes in the world, erupted after rumbling since 2006, killing more than 300 people and forcing 280,000 to flee. Vietnamplus.

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