MOFA warns Chinese tourists of Bali's volcano activity

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China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued an emergency travel advisory warning Chinese tourists visiting the Indonesian island of Bali to stay alert of possible eruptions and adjust travel plans to avoid getting trapped as Mount Agung continues to rumble.

Smoke rises from volcano crater of Mount Agung in Bali, Indonesia, September 26, 2017. /Xinhua Photo

The advisory quoted the latest data released by the Indonesian Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation, which recorded 287 earthquakes within six hours on Sunday and a total of 798 tremors throughout the day on Saturday.

Satellites have also detected new and expanding steam emissions and thermal areas within the summit crater during the past two weeks. Satellite images have shown that the volcano’s crater has reached 80 meters in length and 500 meters in width.

In response to possible eruptions, the country’s disaster management authority has installed six sirens and 54 warning signs around the area.

The last time Mount Agung erupted was in 1963, killing more than 1,000 people.

A fisherman with his boat is seen near Mount Agung volcanoon September 26, 2017. /Xinhua Photo

Chinese are on vacation mode. The ongoing week-long National Day holiday means an opportunity for many to travel. And Bali has always been a draw for holidaymakers looking for sun, sand and sea.

The Chinese Consulate General in Denpaser first issued an emergency advisory last Saturday, asking travelers to evaluate the risks and arrange their trip to the island with extra caution before departing China.

On September 22, Indonesian authorities raised the volcano’s alert status to the highest level and announced a no-go zone that extends up to 12 kilometers from the crater, prompting more than 140,000 residents to flee to neighboring villages.

A boy plays in portable showers being assembled at a temporary evacuation center for people living near Mount Agung in Manggis, on the resort island of Bali, Indonesia, September 28, 2017. /Reuters Photo

Bali is famous for its beaches and temples and saw nearly five million visitors last year, mainly from China, Australia, and Japan.

(With inputs from Reuters and Xinhua)