Jakarta [Indonesia], September 8 – Indonesia’s Mount Anak Krakatau eruption has disrupted air travel across the country leaving more than 270,000 passengers stranded as Jakarta’s main airport and three others delayed reopening on Monday.
The volcano located about 150 kilometres from Jakarta erupted on Saturday sending lava and volcanic ash into the air. Eight airports suspended operations over the weekend after ash was detected in their airspace, disrupting thousands of flights.
The Transport Ministry said the figure includes flights cancelled, delayed or diverted since September 5. More than 240 domestic and international flights were cancelled or delayed at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport alone on Monday morning affecting nearly 30,000 passengers.
At least four airports including Soekarno-Hatta extended their closures until 6 pm local time. Halim Perdanakusuma Airport also remained closed while an airport in southern Sumatra resumed operations Monday morning.
Stranded travellers described uncertainty and difficulties finding accommodation as hotels filled up.
Indonesia’s geology agency warned that the probability of another eruption remained high citing risks from incandescent rocks, heavy ashfall and possible lava flows.
Anak Krakatau meaning “Child of Krakatau” lies between Java and Sumatra. It emerged from the sea in the caldera created by the 1883 Krakatau eruption.
A 2018 tsunami triggered by the collapse of part of Anak Krakatau killed 429 people and displaced thousands.0
