Bali volcano eruption alert on highest level

Fears of an imminent major eruption of Bali's Mount Agung have increased and the evacuation zone around the volcano has been widened.

Indonesian authorities have raised the state of alert to its highest level. The island's airport has now closed, leaving thousands stranded in the tourist hotspot.

Dark smoke has been seen billowing up to 3,400m (11,150ft) above the mountain's summit, which has also emitted ash puffs.

Officials have also been warning residents to stay away from rock and debris flows known as lahars, which have been spotted flowing down from the mountain.

The National Board for Disaster Management raised the alert to level four from 06:00 local time (22:00 GMT Sunday), because of "the possibility and imminent risk of disaster".

The volcano was seen emitting "continuous ash puffs" occasionally accompanied by "explosive eruptions" and "weak booms" that could be heard 12km (7 miles) from the summit.

UCJ, UNILORIN