Indonesia narrows danger zone of Mount Agung volcano

The Indonesian government has narrowed the dangerous zone of Mount Agung volcano in Bali resort island, allowing thousands of displaced people living outside the zone to return their home, a government official said here on Thursday.

The country's volcanology agency announced on Thursday that the evacuation zone from the crater was narrowed to 6 km radius from 8 to 10 km.

"Starting from today (Thursday) the dangerous zone of the Mount Agung was reduced to 6 km from the crater. The people who are taking shelter may return their home as long as their houses are situated outside of 6 km from the crater," Indonesian Energy and Mineral Resources Ignasius Jonan said.

The Mount Agung volcano is still at its highest alert level as its seismic activity remains high, head of the country's geology agency Rudy Suhendar said.

About 44,000 people fled home and took shelter due to eruption of Mount Agung volcano, according to the national disaster management agency.