Australians have flooded a travel agency with hundreds of “desperate” phone calls after multiple volcanic eruptions in Bali caused travel chaos.
Staff from travel risk management company World Travel Protection in Brisbane have helped Australian tourists stranded on the remote island of Flores in East Nusa Tenggara province.
Thousands of Australians holidaying in Bali were left scrambling to book flights after Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki erupted for the first time on November 4.
World Travel Protection has been inundated with at least 800 calls for help since the deadly eruption, which has claimed the lives of 10 people.
Major airlines including Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin canceled several flights on Tuesday and Wednesday over safety concerns.
The travel group has helped Australians rebook canceled flights and find alternative accommodation in the area.
“So far, the disruptions have been primarily in flights and accommodation bookings,” said the agency’s global medical director, Dr. Derrick Tin.
Dr Tin said the chaos was a timely reminder for people to be prepared for unexpected incidents like this.
Staff from travel risk management company World Travel Protection have helped stranded tourists (pictured) on the remote island of Flores, Indonesia, following multiple volcanic eruptions.
“Ensure your healthcare provider provides proactive risk mitigation advice, such as providing pre-travel information about health and safety risks,” Dr. Tin said.
‘Volcanic eruptions can be extremely dangerous events that cause disruption far beyond the localized area.
“Those nearby are in immediate danger and should leave the area as soon as possible.”
Locals near the volcano reported multiple tremors at the time of the eruption, which sent columns of ash between 500 and 2000 m into the sky for several days in a row.
Thousands of people living near Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki have since been evacuated.
An Australian traveler, Christine Sutherland, was among hundreds of affected tourists whose holiday plans were thrown into chaos after the huge explosions.
“We are a group of 20 people and all our flights have been cancelled,” he said. Perth now.
“We are trying to find accommodation for the night and the cost of rooms has now gone up 40 percent.”
Locals near the volcano reported multiple tremors at the time of the eruption, which sent plumes of ash between 500 and 2000 m into the sky after the eruption (pictured).
Major airlines including Qantas canceled multiple flights on Tuesday and Wednesday due to safety concerns causing travel chaos (pictured, travelers stranded in Bali).
Jetstar has since resumed flights between Australia and Bali after eruption conditions improved.
Six Jetstar return flights flew to Denpasar from across Australia on Thursday, consisting of four scheduled services and two ad hoc recovery flights.
Travelers have been urged to contact their airline to check for flight changes or cancellations.
It is up to the airlines to make the decision to fly in the conditions.
Indonesian authorities were attempting to evacuate 16,000 residents from nearby villages as the eruptions continued.