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Indonesia's Volcanic Activity and Travel Warnings

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Dramatic eruptions and increased tourist numbers have raised travel concerns in Indonesia. The country's most active volcanoes, including Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, have been placed on the UK Foreign Office's no-travel list. This decision follows recent flights to and from Bali being cancelled or delayed after a volcanic eruption. The UK's travel advice has been updated, advising against all travel to a number of volcanoes, with residents and tourists warned to stay away from certain areas.

Key Takeaways:

  • The UK Foreign Office has placed several volcanoes in Indonesia on its no-travel list, including Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, Mount Sinabung, Mount Marapi, Mount Semeru, Mount Ruang, and Mount Ibu.
  • Residents and tourists are advised to avoid activities within a certain radius around the crater of each volcano, ranging from 3 km to 7 km.
  • The Foreign Office has also warned about the risks of drink spiking and methanol poisoning in Indonesia, advising tourists to purchase alcohol only from reputable licensed shops or bars.
  • Australians have been advised to exercise a high degree of caution when visiting Indonesia, due to a spate of unsettling incidents, including drowning and methanol poisoning.
  • Indonesia welcomed 13.9 million tourists last year, with 6.3 million of those visiting Bali, which experienced a surge in visitors despite serious cautions from travel advisers.
  • The UK's Foreign Office has similar advice to Australians, warning tourists to be alert to the potential risks around drink spiking and methanol poisoning.

Statistics:

  • 13.9 million tourists visited Indonesia last year, according to news.cn.
  • 6.3 million international travellers visited Bali last year, outstripping numbers seen before COVID struck.
  • The UK's Foreign Office has warned against travel to the following volcanoes:

* Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki (to within 7 km of the crater)

* Mount Sinabung (to within 5 km of the crater)

* Mount Marapi (to within 3 km of the crater)

* Mount Semeru (to within 5 km of the crater, and 500 m from any riverbank of the Besuk Kobokan river for 13 km from the crater)

* Mount Ruang (to within 7 km of the crater)

* Mount Ibu (to within 7 km of the crater)

Sources:

  • gov.uk
  • news.cn
  • AFP via Getty Images
  • The Australian government
  • The UK's Foreign Office
  • Getty Images

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