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Volcano ash clouds force Australia flight cancellations Volcano ash clouds force Australia flight cancellations
(about 17 hours later)
Huge ash clouds thrown up by an Indonesian volcano have forced airlines to cancel all flights to and from the northern Australian city of Darwin. Huge ash clouds thrown up by an Indonesian volcano have forced airlines to cancel flights to and from the northern Australian city of Darwin.
Mount Sangeang Api began erupting on Friday and plumes of ash have been sweeping south towards Australia.Mount Sangeang Api began erupting on Friday and plumes of ash have been sweeping south towards Australia.
Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin Australia have all cancelled flights. Services between Australia and the province of Bali have also been hit. Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin Australia all cancelled flights. Services to Bali were also hit.
The authorities say other airports could be affected in the coming days. Fears other airports could be affected have been allayed by reports the cloud could be dispersing.
'Rather significant''Rather significant'
Hundreds of passengers have been caught up, with disruption expected to continue until at least Sunday. Hundreds of passengers have been caught out.
"The volcano is undergoing a sustained, rather significant eruption at the moment," Emile Jansons, manager of the Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre told Reuters news agency."The volcano is undergoing a sustained, rather significant eruption at the moment," Emile Jansons, manager of the Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre told Reuters news agency.
"For the last 10 hours we've been observing large masses of volcanic ash being generated. "For the last 10 hours we've been observing large masses of volcanic ash being generated."
"Nobody has a very good handle on what this volcano is likely to do in the next 24 hours or beyond."
Some flights between Perth and Bali were cancelled on Saturday.Some flights between Perth and Bali were cancelled on Saturday.
Volcanic ash can be extremely dangerous to aircraft as the fine particles can damage engines.Volcanic ash can be extremely dangerous to aircraft as the fine particles can damage engines.
The cloud is now sweeping south towards as Alice Springs, officials say. Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss had warned it could take days for Australian services to return to normal.
Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss said it could take days for Australian services to return to normal. But some flights were now expected into Darwin on Sunday afternoon.
"Depending on wind and other weather conditions, the ash has the potential to affect flights to and from other airports, including Brisbane, during coming days," he said.
The island of Sangeang Api has no permanent residents after they vacated following an eruption in 1988. Farmers nearby have reportedly been told to leave the area.The island of Sangeang Api has no permanent residents after they vacated following an eruption in 1988. Farmers nearby have reportedly been told to leave the area.
Indonesia lies across a series of geological fault-lines and is prone to frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.Indonesia lies across a series of geological fault-lines and is prone to frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
There are about 130 active volcanoes in Indonesia.There are about 130 active volcanoes in Indonesia.
Tens of thousands of people fled their homes and several people were killed after a volcano erupted in east Java in February.Tens of thousands of people fled their homes and several people were killed after a volcano erupted in east Java in February.
Are you in the area affected by the volcano? Has your flight been cancelled due to the ash cloud? Have you any pictures or video you've taken of the volcano which you would be happy to share with us? Email your experiences to Haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk using the subject 'Volcano'.Are you in the area affected by the volcano? Has your flight been cancelled due to the ash cloud? Have you any pictures or video you've taken of the volcano which you would be happy to share with us? Email your experiences to Haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk using the subject 'Volcano'.
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.
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