Indonesia says 40,000 evacuated from Bali volcano, more need to move
Indonesia says 40,000 evacuated from Bali volcano, more need to move
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A tourist watches as Mount Agung volcano erupts at Lempuyang Temple in Karangasem, Bali, Indonesia November 27, 2017. (REUTERS/Johannes P. Christo )
Plants in a garden are covered in ash from the eruption of Mount Agung volcano in Jungutan Village, Karangasem, Bali, Indonesia November 26, 2017. (Antara Foto/Nyoman Budhiana/ via REUTERS)
A view of Mount Agung volcano erupting from Culik village in Karangasem, Bali, Indonesia November 27, 2017. (REUTERS/Johannes P. Christo)
Mount Agung volcano is seen spewing smoke and ash in Bali, Indonesia, November 26, 2017. File photo (EMILIO KUZMA-FLOYD/via REUTERS)
Balinese Hindus walk after praying as Mount Agung erupts at Besakih Temple in Karangasem, Bali, Indonesia on November 26, 2017. (REUTERS/Johannes P. Christo)
Balinese Hindus walk after praying as Mount Agung volcano erupts at Besakih Temple in Karangasem, Bali, Indonesia on November 26, 2017. (REUTERS/Johannes P. Christo)
Mount Agung volcano erupts as seen from Culik Village, Karangasem, Bali, Indonesia November 26, 2017. (Antara Foto/Nyoman Budhiana/Reuters)
Indonesia's disaster mitigation agency said 40,000 people had been evacuated from near Bali's erupting Mount Agung volcano, but tens of thousands still needed to move with an imminent large eruption warning issued on Monday.
"We really ask people in the danger zone to evacuate immediately because there's a potential for a bigger eruption," said Sutopo, a spokesman for Indonesia's disaster mitigation agency (BNPB).
He told a briefing that 40,000 people had evacuated out of around 90,000-100,000 residents estimated in the 8-10 km (5-6 miles) exclusion zone around Agung.
"Not all residents have evacuated yet. There are those (who haven't evacuated) because their farm animals haven't been evacuated yet. There are those who feel they are safe," he said, adding that security personnel were trying to persuade people to leave but they could be evacuated by force.