Australia issues travel warning for Bali as volcano eruption looms
Locals evacuated, hiking and camping suspended.
The Australian government's travel advice for Indonesia has been updated to include a warning for visitors to Bali, as one of two of the island's active volcano's registered a swell in seismic activity.
Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's smartraveller website said Mount Agung, located in the Karangasem Regency of north eastern Bali, has shown recent increased volcanic activity.
Agung is around 50 km from the popular tourist area of Ubud in central Bali and approximately 70 km from Kuta, Bali's leading beach resort area in the south of the island.
The government agency said local Indonesian authorities have temporarily suspended all outdoor activities, such as hiking and camping, in proximity to the crater and advised travellers to monitor local media reports.
The volcano recorded 676 tremors on Thursday and 178 tremors in just one six-hour period on Friday morning.
Indonesia's Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources Geological Agency raised the volcanic status of Agung from "Standby" (level 3) to "Beware" (level 4) on Friday evening and extended the hazard area surrounding the mountain to a radius of 12 km.
Bali's National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) said evacuation points have been established and equipment and support are en route. Coordination meetings between ministries, institutions and other elements will be imminent. BNPB and Bali Provincial Disaster Management (BPBD) are preparing to install signs and signals outlining the safe distance radius from the volcano.
The BNPD said almost 10,000 locals had already been evacuated from their homes in surrounding areas and were staying, either with relatives, or in temporary shelters, sports recreation centres and village halls.
The last time Mount Agung erupted was 54 years ago in 1963, killing more than 1,000 people and sending plumes of ash almost 10 km high into the air.
If Agung was to erupt, air travel in the region would likely be heavily impacted.
However, currently no airports or airlines have altered their flight schedules to or from the island.
Authorities advise all travellers to Bali to contact their airline or tour operator to confirm travel plans.
The overall level of advice for Indonesia has not changed. Australians are urged to exercise a high degree of caution across the country, including Bali. Higher levels apply in some parts of Indonesia.
Compare travel insurance for Bali and enjoy peace of mind on your holiday getaway. 22 November 2017 update: The Mount Agung volcano has begun erupting, and cover restrictions regarding the elevated threat posed by the eruption are starting to trickle in. This table will be updated once advice on cover is posted to a travel insurance brand's website. All times in the table are in AEST. Please check with individual brands to see if they are offering cover before buying a policy. Information last verified at 4pm 27 November 2017.Mount Agung Update
| Brand | Covered for Mount Agung | Not covered |
|---|---|---|
| AIG | Policies issued before 22 September 2017. | Policies issued after 22 September 2017. |
| Columbus Direct | Policies issued from 21 June to 21 September 2017. | Policies issued after 21 September 2017. |
| 1Cover | Policies issued between 9am on 6th November 2017 and midday 22 November 2017. | Policies issued after 12pm Wednesday 22 November 2017. |
| DU insure | Policies issued between 9am on 6th November 2017 and midday 22 November 2017. | Policies issued after 12pm on Wednesday 22 November 2017. |
| Easy Travel Insurance | Policies issued before 2pm Thursday 21 September 2017. | Policies purchased after 2pm Thursday 21 September 2017. |
| Fast Cover | Policies issued before 4pm 20 September 2017. | Policies issued after 4pm 20 September 2017. |
| Go Insurance | Single-trip policies and trips booked under Annual Multi Trip before 12pm on 22 November 2017. | Policies issued after 12:01 pm on Wednesday 22 November 2017. |
| Insure4Less | Policies issued before 2pm Monday 18 September 2017. | Policies issued after 2pm Monday 18 September 2017. |
| iTrek | Policies issued between 9am on 6th November 2017 and midday 22 November 2017. | Policies issued after 12pm on Wednesday 22 November 2017. |
| NoWorries | Policies issued before 16 September 2017. | Policies issued after 16 September 2017. |
| Online Travel Insurance | Policies issued before 7am Tuesday 19 September 2017. | Policies issued after 7am Tuesday 19 September 2017. |
| Simply Travel Insurance | Policies issued between 9am on 6th November 2017 and midday 22 November 2017. | Policies issued after 12pm on Wednesday 22 November 2017. |
| Ski-insurance.com.au | Policies issued between 9am on 6th November 2017 and midday 22 November 2017. | Policies issued after 12pm on Wednesday 22 November 2017. |
| Southern Cross | Policies issued before 10am Friday 22 September 2017. | Policies issued after 10am Friday 22 September 2017. |
| Travel Insurance Saver | Policies issued before 2pm Thursday 21 September 2017. | Policies issued after 2pm Thursday 21 September 2017. |
| Travel Insurance Direct | Policies issued before 8.05 pm Tuesday 21 November 2017. | Policies issued after 8.05 pm Tuesday 21 November 2017. |
| Travel Insuranz | Policies issued before 2pm Monday 18 September 2017. | Policies issued after 2pm Monday 18 September 2017. |
| Woolworths | Policies issued before 4pm Wednesday 20 September 2017. | Policies issued after 4pm Wednesday 20 September 2017. |
| Worldcare | Policies issued before 7am Tuesday 19 September 2017. | Policies issued after 7am Tuesday 19 September 2017. |
| Kango Cover | Policies issued between 9am on 6th November 2017 and midday 22 November 2017. | Policies issued after 12pm on Wednesday 22 November 2017. |
| Under 30s Travel Insurance | Policies issued between 9am on 6th November 2017 and midday 22 November 2017. | Policies issued after 12pm on Wednesday 22 November 2017. |
| Zoom Travel Insurance | Policies issued between 9am on 6th November 2017 and midday 22 November 2017. | Policies issued after 12pm on Wednesday 22 November 2017. |
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