Fuel shortage in Bali, Indonesia leaves motorists waiting hours in long petrol station queues

A petrol shortage in Indonesia's resort island of Bali left motorists waiting hours and in snaking queues just to fill up their gas tanks earlier this week.

Some petrol stations also ran out of fuel.

Officials explained that the shortage was the result of an unfortunate confluence of events that affected domestic distribution, but stressed that there was enough fuel to go around, as fuel deliveries have resumed.

Queues reported since Sunday

The queues were observed at multiple districts across the Indonesian island, including in the capital of Denpasar, South China Morning Post wrote.

According to the Associated Press, they have been reported since Sunday.

One motorist said he spent a morning visiting 10 petrol stations, only to find long lines at each of them, ABC Asia reported.

In another video by RT, a station attendant was seen handing out water to those in line.

At some stations, signs were put up informing motorists that fuel was not available, AP reported.

Delayed shipment of fuel

The shortage was not the result of disruptions in international fuel supplies, a director-general from Indonesia's energy ministry explained, according to AP.

Rather, a fuel tanker delivering fuel to the island suffered an anchor issue while preparing to unload at the island's port.

Inclement weather and rough seas also hampered deliveries to the resort island.

Panic-buying by motorists, in anticipation of a shortage, only made things worse.

The delayed fuel tanker has since arrived, and 24-hour deliveries to the island have been underway since Oct. 14.

The governor of Bali, I Wayan Koster, urged patience and reminded motorists that there was enough fuel to meet demand, South China Morning Post reported, citing Jakarta Globe.