Authorities raise Bali volcano alert level

Indonesian authorities have raised to level four (caution) the status of Mount Agung on Bali island following an increase in the explosions being heard from the volcano.

Indonesia's Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation Centre raised the status from level three (standby) as the volcano continued to spew more ash following the first minor eruption on Nov 21.

Local online media reported that several explosions were heard on the weekend, and the volcano spewed ash as high as 3,000 metres. They said the exclusion zone had been extended by two more kilometres to eight kilometres away from the crater.

The centre said a major eruption was expected.

Media reports also said that the Lombok International Airport on the island of the same name east of Bali reopened today but the Ngurah Rai International in Bali remains closed due to the ash cover in the atmosphere. - BERNAMA