Dramatic eruption of a volcano in Congo: lava has reached an airport

GOMA, Congo – The Nyiragongo volcano, one of the most dangerous in the world according to experts, it erupted for the first time in two decades a few kilometers from Goma, capital of North Kivu, in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Triggering the mount lit dark red lava at night and spat on a main road At the same time that the panicked population tried to flee Goma, a city of about two million inhabitants.

For the time being there are no reports of casualties. However, witnesses said lava had already covered a road connecting Goma to Beni, a town in North Kivu province.

The last eruption of Mount Nyiragongo, in 2002, killed hundreds and covered the airport runways with lava. More than 100,000 people lost their homes in this event, raising concerns for residents of Goma on Saturday evening.

“Before, we are in a total psychosis”said resident Zacharie Paluku. “Everyone is afraid; people are fleeing. We really don’t know what to do. “

The government said it had implemented an eviction plan in the area, but the announcement came hours after the skies lit up with fire and many residents had already fled on foot with the intention of reaching the border post with Rwanda, located just outside of town.

Rwandan immigration authorities have reported that about 3,000 people crossed the Congo border to escape the volcanic eruption, according to official media. The United Nations peacekeeping mission known as MONUSCO tweeted dramatic images of volcano-lit Goma and reported that it was carrying out reconnaissance flights over the town, where it maintains a base important.

“The lava does not seem to be heading towards the city of Goma. We remain on alert, ” he said. The lack of immediate announcements from the authorities and inaccurate information circulating on social media only added to the chaos in Goma.

In much of the city there is a a power failure and thousands of residents left their homes warning that “giant flames” were rising from the mountain. No earthquakes have been recorded, an event that often accompanies volcanic eruptions.

The lava lake of Nyiragongo volcano is constantly boiling and, as a rule, is one of the tourist attractions of the region, not far from the Virunga park where there is a large population of gorillas, among many species of animals.

The authorities of the Observatory of the Volcanoes of Goma had initially indicated that it was the Nyamulagira volcano which had erupted, which had caused confusion. The distance between the two volcanoes is approximately 13 kilometers.

Volcanologist Charles Balagizi stressed that the Observatory’s report was based on the direction the lava seemed to be going, which was towards Rwanda instead of going to Goma.

Goma is located on the border between Congo and Rwanda and is an important hub in the region for humanitarian agencies, including MONUSCO.

AP and ANSA agencies

THE NATION