Dozens prayed at a revered Hindu temple on the slopes of Bali's menacing Mount Agung volcano on Thursday, hoping the gods will restore it to calm. Worshippers including Bali's governor, Made Mangkupastika, made offerings and recited prayers at the temple inside a zone declared off-limits by disaster officials. Warnings that the volcano on the Indonesian tourist island could erupt anytime have caused 140,000 people to flee to safer areas. "Despite Mount Agung being on the highest level of alert, this ceremony must be done," said Jro Mangku Jana, a Hindu priest. Another volcano, Mount Sinabung on Sumatra, has been erupting sporadically since 2010, sometimes blasting volcanic ash several kilometers (miles) into the air and forcing more than 30,000 to evacuate their villages.

Source: ABC News October 05, 2017 07:57 UTC