More Than 130,000 Flee Menacing Bali Volcano

BALI, Indonesia (AP) — More than 130,000 people have fled the region around the Mount Agung volcano on the Indonesian tourist island of Bali, fearing it will soon erupt, an official said Thursday. The disaster mitigation agency's command post in Bali said the number of evacuees has swelled to about 134,200. The figure is more than double the estimated population within an immediate danger zone but people further away are leaving too. Those who have fled are scattered in more than 500 locations across the island famed for its beaches, lush green interior and elegant Hindu culture, taking shelter in temporary camps, sports centers and other public buildings. The volcano has been at its highest alert level since Friday, sparking the massive exodus of villagers. Thousands of cows left behind by rural communities are also being evacuated. The exclusion zone around the mountain extends as far as 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) from the crater in places. "I was very worried about the situation" said Nyoman Suarta, who was leaving a village a few kilometers outside the official no-go radius. "So I decided to get out to save myself with my stuff and my pet," he said, carrying a cage housing a bird. Agung, which dominates the landscape in the northeast of the island, last erupted in 1963, killing more than 1,100 people. It remained active for about a year. Volcanologists say the past week's dramatic escalation in tremors indicates an eruption is more likely than not, bu...
Source: JEMS: Journal of Emergency Medical Services News - Category: Emergency Medicine Authors: Tags: Major Incidents News Source Type: news