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Nature and EnvironmentAfrica

DR Congo: 400,000 flee Goma over volcano eruption fears

May 28, 2021

The Mount Nyiragongo volcano near the eastern city of Goma is the most active in Africa. Authorities have issued an evacuation order over fears it may erupt again.

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People fleeing Goma
Goma residents have been order to evacuate ahead of another eruption by a nearby volcano Image: Moses Sawasawa/AP Photo/picture alliance

Almost 400,000 people as of Friday have been forced to leave the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo city of Goma due to fears of a new eruption by the nearby Mount Nyiragongo volcano. The volcano previously erupted last week, killing 32 people. 

The wider Goma metropolitan area has a population of nearly 2 million people. The city is the capital of the North Kivu province.

What did authorities say about the eruption?

General Constant Ndima, the military governor of the province, said the eruption could happen "very soon." The volcano is located on the shore of Lake Kivu.

"Right now we can't rule out an eruption on land or under the lake, which could happen very soon and without warning," Ndima said.

An eruption under the lake would be the worst scenario, as it could release a massive invisible cloud of carbon dioxide, asphyxiating life in the region.

UN humanitarian agency OCHA said 80,000 households left Goma on Thursday due to evacuation warmings.

OCHA said over 4,500 homes were destroyed from last week's eruption, impacting some 20,000 residents.

What makes Nyiragongo unique?

Nyiragongo is the most active volcano on the African continent. It is located just 12 kilometers (8 miles) from Goma.

The volcano has erupted at least 34 times since 1882.

Nyiragongo has seen some deadly eruptions throughout history. An eruption in 2002 killed roughtly 245 people due to asphyxiation by carbon dioxide and the collapse of buildings in the city.

A massive eruption in 1977 killed at least 600 people and destroyed villages in the area.

Eruptions come amid instability in North Kivu

The displacement of thousands of people in North Kivu comes after Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi placed the province under a 30-day "state of siege" on May 6.

Both the North Kivu and Ituri provinces have been placed under the control of the Congolese military and national police in order to provide security to the region.

Both provinces have been grappling with intercommunal violence and the presence of armed groups. The violence has killed at least 300 people so far in 2021.

Critics say the move restricts civil liberties, and that the "state of siege" will not bring peace to the region.

wd/rt (AFP)