JAKARTA, Sept. 27 (Xinhua) -- Indonesia has planned to provide visa extension for tourists left stranded as a volcano nearly erupt in the resort island, a minister disclosed on Wednesday.
In addition, 10 alternate airports across the country have been prepared to facilitate diverted flight with Bali destination.
Mount Agung volcano in Karang Asem district, about 75 km from the tourist hub of Kuta, is on top alert and its seismic activity keeps rising, threatening to erupt after dormant for 50 years.
"The 10 airports are as alternate airports for the flight serving Bali's Ngurah Rai airport destination should the airport be affected by volcanic ash from volcanic eruption," he said in a text message.
Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi revealed that a total of 5,000 passengers are estimated to be affected should the volcano erupt.
About 100 buses have also been on standby to serve passengers from the nearby airports, he said in Bali island.
"For the travelers who must be over stay if the eruption occurs, the immigration authorities must give assistance to the tourists related to visa extension," he said.
Over 200,000 foreign holiday makers visit Bali island, the center of Indonesia's tourism industry, every month, according to the national statistics bureau.
Mount Agung with height of 3,031 last erupted in 1963, killing 1,100 people.
Indonesia, a vast archipelagic nation with over 17,500 islands, has 129 active volcanoes.
