Aussies’ desperate calls amid Bali chaos

A devastating volcanic eruption on an Indonesian island has led to an Aussie travel risk management company being inundated with hundreds of calls for help.
A devastating volcanic eruption on an Indonesian island has led to an Aussie travel risk management company being inundated with hundreds of calls for help.

A command centre that helps Aussie travellers in strife has been “inundated” with hundreds of calls for assistance since the volcanic eruption in Indonesia.

Staff from the Brisbane-based travel risk management company World Travel Protection have helped hundreds of travellers left stranded after Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, a volcano on the remote island of Flores in East Nusa Tenggara province, began spewing hot ash into the air last week.

At least 10 people have died since the eruption on November 4.

Thousands of Aussies holidaying in Bali have been left stranded as a result of flight cancellations due to the volcanic ash pumped into the air over the week.

World Travel Protection global chief medical officer Derrick Tin said no requests for urgent medical evacuation had been received.

Australians co-ordinate with airport officials after eruptions from Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki led to mass flight cancellations across Bali. Picture: AFP
Australians co-ordinate with airport officials after eruptions from Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki led to mass flight cancellations across Bali. Picture: AFP
A devastating volcanic eruption on an Indonesian island has led to an Aussie travel risk management company being inundated with hundreds of calls for help.
A devastating volcanic eruption on an Indonesian island has led to an Aussie travel risk management company being inundated with hundreds of calls for help.

But the situation is being closely monitored by the travel group, which revealed it had helped hundreds of stranded Aussies rebook cancelled flights and find alternative accommodation.

At least 800 calls for help have been received by World Travel Protection since the eruption.

Dr Tin revealed the travel group was also helping source medication for people whose prescriptions were running out.

“The disruption has mainly been to flights and accommodation bookings so far,” he said.

Dr Tin said the travel chaos was a timely reminder for people to be prepared for unexpected incidents like this.

He urged people to look for the telltale signs of travel warnings or cancellations and to ensure their travel providers offered “around-the-clock” medical, security and technical assistance in the event immediate support was needed.

A satellite image of the eruption, captured by the Copernicus Sentinel-2 mission on November 13. Picture: AFP / European Space Agency, Copernicus Sentinel-2
A satellite image of the eruption, captured by the Copernicus Sentinel-2 mission on November 13. Picture: AFP / European Space Agency, Copernicus Sentinel-2

“Ensure your medical assistance provides proactive risk mitigation advice such as providing you with pre-trip travel briefs on health and security risks,” he explained.

“Volcanic eruptions can be extremely dangerous events that cause disruption far beyond the localised area.
“Those in proximity are in immediate danger and should leave the area as quickly as possible.

“People further out can be impacted from falling volcanic ash, fine particles of which can cause respiratory issues, eye and skin irritation and may even be toxic if it contains harmful gases, so in those areas, it’s best to wear a mask and stay indoors.”

Locals near the volcano reported multiple tremors at the time of the eruption, which sent columns of ash between 500-2000m into the sky for several days in a row.

Passengers whose domestic flights were cancelled wait at the Ngurah Rai International Airport. Picture: AFP
Passengers whose domestic flights were cancelled wait at the Ngurah Rai International Airport. Picture: AFP

The chaotic eruption led to Australian airlines cancelling flights on Tuesday and Wednesday, but some recovery flights were able to get some stranded travellers back home.

A Qantas spokesperson said the airline was monitoring the situation for any changes in volcanic activity and on Thursday said it was working on plans to operate recovery flights so customers could fly as soon as possible.

“We are contacting customers directly to notify them of any changes to their travel plans,” a spokesperson said.

“We appreciate the changing situation is frustrating and we thank customers for their understanding and patience.”

Thousands of people living near Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki have since been evacuated.