Indonesia Closes Airport on Volcano Eruption

Jakarta, 07 Syawal 1437/12 July 2016 (MINA) – Indonesia Monday shut an airport in East Java province as ashes from Mount Bromo volcano endangers flights, an official said.

All activities at the Abdurrah-man Saleh airport in Malang district was halted, starting at 11.00am Jakarta time yesterday until 09.00am Jakarta time Tuesday, Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, spokesman of the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) said.

The 3,829-metre-high Mount Bromo spewed a column of ash by up to 1,200 metres to the sky on Monday, he told Xinhua via phone.

Tourists are banned from entering the area of one kilometre from the crater, Sutopo added.

Mount Bromo is one of Indonesia’s 129 active volcanoes.

The eruption of the volcano forced airliners to ground their planes in 2011, and paralysed tourism activity in the province and nearby areas in 2010. (T/R07/R01)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)