Flights cancelled, people evacuated after massive Bali volcano erupts

REUTERS/Johannes P. Christo

Mount Agung volcano erupts as seen from Besakih Temple in Karangasem, Bali, Indonesia on November 26, 2017.

An ash cloud has forced Denpasar Airport in Bali to close on Monday.

International flights were cancelled following an eruption by Mount Agung on Saturday evening and three times early Sunday.

The volcanic eruptions sent ash 13,000 feet (4,000 metres) into the atmosphere, and created plumes as high as 3.7 miles (6km).

Thousands have been left stranded without flights and people have begun arriving at evacuation centers.

Australian airline Jetstar issued a statement on Monday, saying that all flights in and out of Bali were cancelled as a result.

Jetstar had cancelled nine flights on Saturday following the eruption, but resumed most of its flights on Sunday after its senior pilots assessed it was safe.

Mount Agung's alert status was raised to the highest possible in September following increased tremors from the volcano.

Approximately 25,000 people have not been home since September, when Agung showed signs of activity for the first time in more than half a century.

More news to come.