Nyiragongo is an active volcano located in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo. As one of the most active volcanoes in the world, the last eruption was on January 17, 2002, which killed 250 people and left 120,000 homeless. At around 7pm on the 22nd (Saturday) of this month, Nyiragongo volcano erupted again, and magma quickly poured into the nearby city Goma, which has a population of about 600,000, and caused power outages and phone calls in most areas.
Before the official evacuation was ordered, thousands of people had already rushed to the streets, fleeing in a hurry with their families. According to reports, 32 people have lost their lives and about 17 villages have been destroyed, and UNICEF stated that there are probably more than 170 children missing in this incident.
The earthquake caused by volcanic activity can be felt throughout the night in the local area. According to the description of the RSM Seismological Observatory in Luanda, the neighboring country of the Democratic Republic of Congo, a 5.1 earthquake was detected at 5:46 in the morning local time, and 4.1 at 6:12. And just as the people of Goma were preparing to go back to clean up their dilapidated homes, the Democratic Republic of the Congo officially issued the latest warning, stating that since magma activity has also been detected under Lake Kivu near the city of Goma, and it may causes a “limnic eruption”. This is a catastrophic second volcanic eruption, if it really happen, the suffocating carbon dioxide will strangle the entire Margo, even the Gisenyi area in neighboring Luanda.
According to statistics, 400,000 residents have been evacuated. Most of them went to Sake, about 30 kilometers to the northwest, while others went to Rutshuru and South Kivu in the north. Minova or the border area of neighboring Luanda.
Humanitarian assistance has been organized in the local area to provide drinking water, food and other daily necessities, and staff are also helping lost children to reunite with their families.
Reference source
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-57215690
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-57280509
