Bali volcano highest alert issued

© Reuters Mount Agung last erupted in 1963, killing more than 1,000 people

Reuters Mount Agung. Photo: 21 September 2017 Mount Agung last erupted in 1963, killing more than 1,000 people 1

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Indonesia has issued its highest level alert for a volcano on Bali, warning that an eruption on the popular tourist island could be imminent.

About 10,000 people have already been evacuated, with officials urging people to stay at least nine kilometres (5.6 miles) away from Mount Agung.

Tremors have been reported, and there are indications that magma is rising to the surface, the officials say.

More than 1,000 people died when Mount Agung last erupted in 1963.

Reuters Evacuated local residents in a temporary shelter Klungkung, Bali. Photo: 22 September 2017 Evacuated local residents are staying in temporary shelters 1

"There should be zero public activity within the specified radius in case there is an eruption," Sutopo Purwo Nugroho of Indonesia's National Disaster Management Agency was quoted as saying by Reuters.

© Reuters Evacuated local residents are staying in temporary shelters

Bali's international airport in Denpasar, which is used by millions of foreign tourists each year, is currently operating as normal, the officials say.

Mount Agung, which is more than 3,000m above sea level, lies in the eastern part of Bali.

It is among about 130 active volcanoes in Indonesia - an archipelago prone to volcanic eruptions and earthquakes as it sits on the Pacific "Ring of Fire".