Volcanic eruption forces Papua New Guinea to cancel flights, close airport

By Anadolu staff

ANKARA (AA) – Papua New Guinea authorities on Tuesday cancelled flights and closed the Hoskins airport temporarily a day after Mount Ulawun erupted.

In a notice posted on Facebook, the National Airports Corporation of the Pacific country said the decision was taken to ensure the safety of people travelling and aircraft operations amid ashfall.

It, however, didn't share further details about how many flights cancelled following the volcanic eruption in the remote West New Britain province on Monday night.

Meanwhile, authorities are preparing to evacuate people from the local areas to safe places, according to media reports.

Mount Ulawun on the island of New Britain erupted on Monday.

The Japan Meteorological Agency said that eruption spewed smoke as high as 50,000 feet (nearly 15,200 meters) into the sky.

It added that they are monitoring the situation and risk of a tsunami reaching Japan.

*Writing by Islamuddin Sajid