Thousands stranded as Indonesia's Bali airport shut after volcanic eruption

A volcano monitoring official speaks on his radio as Mount Raung spews volcanic smoke in Botolinggo, East Java, Indonesia, July 11, 2015. Ash spewing from the volcano sparked chaos for holidaymakers as airports closed and international airlines canceled flights to tourist hotspot Bali, stranding thousands. [Photo/IC]

DENPASAR, Indonesia - Nearly 20,000 passengers were left stranded on Friday at one of Indonesia's busiest international airports on the resort island of Bali after it was forced to close because of a volcanic eruption, an airport official said.

Mount Raung in East Java has been erupting for nearly a week, forcing several airports to close and causing widespread flight disruption on Friday.

"Bali airport will remain closed until noon on Saturday," Farid Indra Nugraha, a spokesman for airport operator Angkasa Pura 1, said in a text message.