JAKARTA, Oct. 5 (Xinhua) -- At least 16,000 soldiers have been prepared for assisting emergency relief efforts should Mount. Agung volcano in Bali erupt, a military officer said on Thursday.
Mount Agung of 3,031 meters high in Karang Asem district has been in top alert status which forces a massive evacuation.
"There are a number of soldiers who have not been dispatched, should worst things happen we still have a total of 16,000 soldiers," chief of staff of military command for Bali Brigadier General Stephanus Tri Mulynono was quoted by Antara news agency as saying in Bali.
Volcanologists have extended dangerous zone to 12 kilometers from the crater in the north, northeast, south, southeast and southwest.
Mount Agung volcano last erupted in 1963, leaving about 1,100 people dead.
