Priests climb up active volcano in Bali to 'prove' it is not about to erupt
Some 140,000 people have been evacuated from the area in expectation of an eruption
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Four priests have climbed to the top of a volcano in Indonesia to make offerings, despite scientists saying it is about to erupt.
Some 144,000 people were evacuated from the area around Mount Agung in Bali after volcanologists warned it was about to blow its top. The 3,000m volcano has been rumbling and pouring out steam in recent days
However, video posted on social media showed the Indonesian priests posing at the summit. One said he had been instructed by a god to make the climb.
Indonesian authorities condemned the priests and accused them of acting irresponsibly by potentially inspiring other people to enter the 12km exclusion zone that is in place around the volcano.
One of the Hindu priests, Mangku Mokoh, said he made the four-hour climb because he is "not sure that Mount Agung will erupt”
Another, Jero Mangku Ada, said he was at an evacuation centre when he received a message from a god telling him make an offering at the top of Mount Agung.
He told Fairfax Media: "We were not there to pose or be daredevils. We had already evacuated as per the instruction of the government. But I was requested to make an offering and I did just that because I want the people of Bali to be safe.
“If I was not told to go up there by something higher up than the government I would not have gone up there."
However, Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, a spokesman for Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency, said: "That zone is forbidden. That is very dangerous.
"If a sudden eruption happened, we wouldn't know if there was anyone there. There could be a sudden eruption, earthquakes, landslide, poisonous gas and other dangers.
"The danger is not for them alone but also the search and rescue team who would have had to rescue them."
Authorities have also requested the 75,000 people who have evacuated from areas close to the volcano that are deemed to be safe to return home, saying they are placing a burden on resources for people who genuinely needed to be evacuated.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments