Reactions on social media can erupt like a volcano.
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An influencer found that out the hard way recently after she was publicly shamed for complaining about a cancelled flight during a deadly volcanic eruption in Indonesia.
Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki in the Indonesia province of Nusa Tenggara erupted several times in recent weeks, with black ash and smoke spewing for several kilometres. At least nine people were killed by the eruptions and dozens more were injured, while more than 11,000 people had to be evacuated.
The smoke and black ash caused the cancellation of several flights between Australia and Denpasar.
One of the disrupted travellers was influencer Lauren Bullen, who lives in Bali. She posted on Instagram that she needed to get to Australia for a bachelorette party.
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“Anyone have info on flight cancellations in Bali? I have a very important weekend in Australia,” Bullen said in a post.
“I need to get to Australia by Friday for my bestie’s bachelorette. So I have to just wait and reassess tonight or tomorrow and then somehow wrangle a ticket because right now prices have rocketed to $2-3K a person economy.”
The post was shared on another Instagram page called Influencer Updates AU, and it didn’t take long for social media users to pile on, claiming the woman’s comments were insensitive.
“People are literally dying in the country she lives in, and she’s worried about a hens party. I’m a long-time follower, but I’ve had to unfollow,” one person wrote, the New York Post reported.
“I just find her extremely tone-deaf,” another person commented.
“I don’t know if she wants us to feel sorry for her, but this is a her problem that doesn’t really need to be shared with the world.”
Bullen defended herself, saying she was allowed to be upset at missing her best friend’s party weekend, which had been planned for the past year.
“I am a bridesmaid and just because I am a mother, I am still allowed to attend special occasions with my closest friends,” she said.
Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin announced they resumed flights on Thursday.