Eruption at Mount Nyiragongo volcano in DR Congo sparks panic to the public

Located about 20 km north of Goma town and Lake Kivu on the western border with Rwanda, Mount Nyiragongo is an active stratovolcano with an elevation of 3,470 m in the Virunga Mountains associated with the Albertine Rift. It is located inside Virunga National Park, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The Mount Nyiragongo volcano erupted on Saturday 22^nd May 2021, spewing red fumes into the night sky over the Democratic Republic of Congo's eastern city of Goma and sparking an exodus to neighboring western province of Gisenyi in Rwanda. The military governor of North Kivu province, of which Goma is capital, General Constant Ndima confirmed the eruption stating that “Investigations are underway and people must follow the guidance of civil protection"

A United Nations helicopter that wondered in the skies appeared to show the lava was not flowing toward Goma or any major population centers, the UN Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO) said in a statement. "There is eruption activities at the Nyiragongo mountain," the statement said. "However, the lava of the volcano is flowing towards Rwanda. Goma city and its environs are safe. All are advised to continue to monitor the situation."

It should be noted that the volcano's last major eruption in 2002 killed more than 250 people in Goma and displaced thousands. No evacuation advisories have so far been recommended for people in Goma during Saturday's eruption.

Power was cut in large parts of the city and hundreds of residents began leaving their homes and heading towards the nearby border with Rwanda.

According to the sources in Goma, residents have been heard saying "The sky has turned red, there is a smell of Sulphur. In the distance you can see giant flames coming out of the mountain. But there has not been any earthquake. People are now leaving or preparing to leave,"

Let’s Keep Goma in our prayers. May God protect you all.