12 hours Ago By [email protected] (James Rodger)
UK tourists in Indonesia have been issued a warning to "check for updates" after flights were disrupted by volcanic activity. UK tourists heading outside the European Union have been issued a travel warning after several flights were grounded due to volcanic eruptions. An ash cloud has caused significant disruptions at Denpasar Airport, in Bali.
The Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) cautioned: "Flight disruptions have been reported at Bali International Airport due to volcanic ash from Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki on Flores Island. "Check with your airline for updates. If your flight is affected, contact your airline and your travel insurer for alternative travel and accommodation arrangements.
" Tourists told The Associated Press that they have been stuck at Bali’s airport since Tuesday after their flights were suddenly canceled. READ MORE Exact date UK hammered by -9C 'snow bomb' which will last 'five days' “The airline did not provide accommodation, leaving us stranded at this airport,” said Charlie Austin from Perth, Australia, who was on vacation in Bali with his family. Another Australian tourist, Issabella Butler, opted to find another airline that could fly her home.
“The important thing is that we have to be able to get out of here,” she said. Indonesia’s Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki volcano on the remote island of Flores in East Nusa Tenggara province spewed towering columns of hot ash high into the air since its initial huge eruption on November 4 killed nine people and injured dozens of others. Three Australian airlines have also canceled or delayed a number of flights.
Jetstar has paused its flights to Bali until at least Thursday, it said on its website, saying it was “currently not safe” to operate the route. Flights from Singapore, Hong Kong, Qatar, India, Australia, Malaysia, China's Pudong and South Korea's Incheon were all either delayed or grounded, Ahmad Syaugi Shahab said Wednesday. Animal clinic worker Samsudin, 52, from Indonesia's main island was transiting in Bali to Malaysia and forced to spend the night at the airport.
"I'm sleeping here rather than going back to Java. It is far," he told AFP. "I'm waiting here, until tomorrow," he added, saying he bought a new flight after his AirAsia ticket was refunded.
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