Influencer slammed for complaining her flight was canceled after volcano erupts: ‘People are literally dying’

A Bali-based influencer has been shamed after complaining on social media that her flight to Australia had been canceled and she had to fly back for a weekend hen party.

Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki in the Indonesian province of Nusa Tenggara has erupted several times in recent weeks, sending black ash and smoke billowing from the volcano for several kilometers.

The explosions killed at least nine people, injured dozens more and prompted the evacuation of more than 11,000 people.

Smoke and black ash from the volcano caused the cancellation of several flights between Australia and Denpasar this week, disrupting the plans of thousands of holidaymakers.

Bali-based influencer Lauren Bullen shared a post on Instagram commenting that she had a very important weekend planned in Australia and was due back by Friday.

“Anyone have any info on Bali flight cancellations?” I have a very important weekend in Australia,” Bullen wrote on Instagram.

“I have to go to Australia by Friday for my boyfriend’s bachelor party. So I have to wait and reevaluate tonight or tomorrow and then kind of scramble for a ticket because now the prices have gone up to $2-3k for economy person.”

The post was shared on another Instagram page called Influencer Updates AU, where social media users were quick to judge Ms Bullen for her insensitive comments.

“People are literally dying where she lives and she’s worried about a hen party. “I’ve been a follower for a long time, but I had to unfollow,” one person wrote.

“I just find her extremely toned dull,” commented another person.

“I don’t know if she wants us to feel sorry for her, but this is her problem that she doesn’t need to share with the world.”

Ms Bullen hit back at her critics saying she was allowed to be upset about missing her best friend’s big weekend, which they had planned for last year.

“I’m a bridesmaid and only because I’m a mom I’m allowed to attend special occasions with my closest friends,” she replied.

Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin announced they would resume flights on Thursday telling customers to check their flight status before traveling to the airport.

A Qantas spokesman said they were monitoring the situation for any changes in volcanic activity and were working on plans to operate recovery flights so customers could fly as soon as possible.

“We are contacting customers directly to let them know of any changes to their travel plans,” a spokesperson said.

“We appreciate that the change in situation is disappointing and thank customers for their understanding and patience.”

A Virgin spokesperson said all their scheduled flights will resume in and out of Denpasar on Thursday and they will be contacting customers whose flights have been canceled to accommodate them in the coming days.

“We sincerely regret any disruption these cancellations have caused and assure our guests that our team is working diligently to re-book all affected guests to their destinations as safely and quickly as possible.” defeated”, said the spokesman.