Thousands flee Agung as Bali volcano erupts sending plumes of ash and gas 4,000 meters above the summit

The activity of the Agung has clearly changed during the night. After the Bali volcano clouded the air with smoke 1,500m above its summit yesterday, this early morning magmatic eruption sent a large ash plume at a height of more than 4,000 meters above the volcanic peak. The ash cloud is heading towards ENE and Lombok Island, where small ashfalls have already been reported. Thousands of people living nearby had already been forced to flee over fears it would erupt when smoke filled the air on Tuesday. People living within 7.5km (4.5 miles) of the mountain have been told to evacuated. Bali’s airport is operating normally, but some airlines have cancelled their flights. The volcano last erupted in 1963, killing 1,600 people.