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Bali volcano - live updates: Thousands stranded as Indonesia extends airport closure by 24 hours due to volcanic ash Bali volcano - live updates: Thousands unable to escape as Indonesia extends airport closure by 24 hours due to volcanic ash
(35 minutes later)
Tens of thousands of travellers have been stranded on Bali after an erupting volcano forced the Indonesian island's international airport to close until at least Wednesday morning.Tens of thousands of travellers have been stranded on Bali after an erupting volcano forced the Indonesian island's international airport to close until at least Wednesday morning.
Mount Agung has been hurling clouds of white and dark gray ash about 4,000 meters (13,123 feet) into the atmosphere and lava is welling up in the crater. Mount Agung has been hurling clouds of white and dark gray ash about 4,000 meters (13,123 feet) into the atmosphere and lava is welling up in the crater.
Indonesian authorities raised their warning for the volcano to the top level four alert yesterday, and told residents around the mountain to immediately evacuate, warning of an "imminent" risk of a larger eruption.Indonesian authorities raised their warning for the volcano to the top level four alert yesterday, and told residents around the mountain to immediately evacuate, warning of an "imminent" risk of a larger eruption.
Videos released by the National Disaster Mitigation Agency showed a mudflow of volcanic debris and water known as a lahar moving down the volcano's slopes. It said lahars could increase because it's rainy season and warned people to stay away from rivers.  The local airport authority said closing the airport for another 24 hours was required for safety reasons.
Spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho told a news conference in Jakarta that the extension of the danger zone affects 22 villages and about 90,000 to 100,000 people. He said about 40,000 people have evacuated but others have not left because they feel safe or don't want to abandon their livestock.  Volcanic ash poses a deadly threat to aircraft, and ash from Mount Agung is moving south-southwest toward the airport. Ash has reached a height of about 30,000 feet as it drifts across the island. 
"Authorities will comb the area to persuade them," he said. "If needed we will forcibly evacuate them." About 25,000 people were already living in evacuation centers after an increase in tremors from the mountain in September sparked an evacuation.  The closure of the airport has stranded tens of thousands of travellers, affecting tourists already on Bali and people who were ready to fly to the island from abroad or within Indonesia.
Lava rising in the crater "will certainly spill over to the slopes," Mr Sutopo said.  Stranded tourists could leave Bali by taking a ferry to Java and then travelling by land to the nearest airports. 
The volcano's last major eruption in 1963 killed about 1,100 people.  Authorities have told 100,000 people to leave homes nearest the volcano, though tens of thousands stayed because they felt safe or didn't want to abandon livestock.
Bali's airport was closed early Monday after ash, which can pose a deadly threat to aircraft, reached its airspace.  Mudflows have been seen on the mountain's slopes, and authorities warned more are possible, since it's the rainy season in Bali. 
Airport spokesman Air Ahsanurrohim said 445 flights were cancelled, stranding about 59,000 travellers. That closure was then extended until Wednesday morning local time. Mount Agung's last major eruption in 1963 killed about 1,100 people. 
Indonesia sits on the "Pacific Ring of Fire" and has more than 120 active volcanoes. Indonesia sits on the "Pacific Ring of Fire" and has more than 120 active volcanoes. 
Additional reporting by agenciesAdditional reporting by agencies