Three priests climbed to the top of a rumbling volcano in Indonesia that is expected to erupt, saying they wanted to prove the vulcanologists wrong after more than 140,000 people were evacuated.

Despite frequent tremors, pillars of rising steam and warnings from authorities to stay away, the three men trekked to the peak of Mount Agung, a 10,000-feet high volcano on the island of Bali.

Mangku Mokoh, one of the Hindu priests, said he made the four-hour climb because he did not accept the predictions of the vulcanologists, adding: “I’m not sure that Mount Agung will erupt”.

Another of the priests said a God had spoken to him and told him to make an offering at the summit.

Indonesian authorities criticised the men for making the climb, saying their behaviour was extremely irresponsible and could prompt others to approach the summit. More than 1,100 people died when the volcano last erupted in 1963.

Authorities have placed a 7.5-mile exclusion zone around the volcano and warned that it could erupt at any time.