Bali: 135,000 evacuated as huge volcano shows signs of imminent eruption

Thousands of people have been evacuated on the Indonesian island of Bali after signs the Mount Agung volcano could blow imminently.

Nearly 135,000 have been moved from their homes into makeshift evacuation centres after volcano began to spew white smoke and send tremors through the area.

Hundreds of tremors are being recorded at the site each day, prompting officials to raise the alert status to the highest level last week.

Mount Agung last erupted in 1963, sending clouds of hot ash, gases and rock down its slopes and killing more than 1,000 people.

Evacuees living closest to the volcano are being housed in tents, schools and government buildings in neighbouring villages.

Many are unsure if they will be able to return to their homes.

“If my house is destroyed I don't know how to restart my life. I don't know where my kids will sleep and all I can do now is pray,” said farmer Gusti Gege Astana.

Indonesia has nearly 130 active volcanoes, more than any other country. The country is situated on the Pacific Ring of Fire, an area which contains more than 75% of the world's active and dormant volcanoes.

Mount Agung's activity is also affecting the island's tourism industry. Bali is a popular destination but many people are having second thoughts about holidays after warnings were issued about the volcano.

Bali’s tourism department on Thursday issued a letter reassuring travellers, saying flights were operating normally.

“The island is safe except for areas around Mount Agung. We urge tourists to continue visiting,” it said.

If the volcano erupts, flights to Bali could be diverted to ten airports across Indonesia.

Hundreds of flights were disrupted last year when a volcano erupted on Bali’s Lombok island, sending ash clouds into the air.

Additional reporting by agencies