Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — An Australian influencer, Lauren Bullen, faced harsh criticism online after lamenting her canceled flight to Australia due to the eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki in Indonesia. Netizens called her comments insensitive, given the devastating impact of the natural disaster.
The eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki in East Nusa Tenggara has caused significant destruction over the past few weeks. At least nine people have died, dozens have been injured, and more than 11,000 residents have been evacuated from the affected area. The volcano spewed volcanic ash and thick black smoke, disrupting air travel and forcing several flights between Denpasar and Australia to be canceled.
Bullen, vacationing in Bali, shared her frustrations on Instagram, expressing concern about missing a critical weekend event in Australia. “Does anyone have info on the flight cancellations in Bali? I have a very important weekend in Australia,” she wrote.
In her post, she explained the urgency, saying, “I need to be in Australia by Friday for my best friend’s bachelorette party. Now, ticket prices have skyrocketed to USD 2,000–3,000 (IDR 32–48 million) per person.”
Her comments quickly went viral after being shared by the Instagram account Influencer Updates AU, sparking a wave of negative reactions. Many users accused her of being tone-deaf, focusing on her personal inconvenience while lives were being lost due to the volcanic eruption.
“People are literally dying in the country she’s living in, and she’s worried about a bachelorette party. I’ve followed her for years, but I can’t anymore,” one user commented.
Another criticized her, saying, “This is so tone-deaf. I don’t know if she wants sympathy, but this is not the way to go about it.”
Flights to Bali Disrupted due to Mount Lewotobi Eruption, Where Should Travelers Go?
In response to the backlash, Bullen defended her feelings, stating that it was acceptable for her to feel disappointed about missing an important event planned since 2023. “I’m a bridesmaid, and while I’m a mom, I’m still allowed to attend special occasions with my closest friends,” she wrote.
Meanwhile, airlines like Qantas, Jetstar, and Virgin have resumed flights as of Thursday, November 14, 2024, but advised passengers to check flight statuses before heading to the airport. The situation remains tense as volcanic activity continues to disrupt daily life in the region.
(Becky)
