News

• 03 2023

  Active volcano. Marian Tudorica

  The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo ordered the evacuation of the eastern city of Goma on Saturday evening, after the strong and sudden eruption of the nearby Nyiragongo volcano. The eruption caused panic in the city of about 2 million people. Thousands of people fled in panic, many on foot, with mattresses and other belongings. The volcano, located 10 km from Goma, last erupted in 2002, killing 250 people and leaving 120,000 homeless.
  An official from Virunga National Park, where the volcano is located, said Saturday's eruption was similar to 2002 and that everyone near the airport should leave immediately.
  Earlier, Communications Minister Patrick Muyay said on Twitter that the government was discussing urgent measures after the prime minister convened an emergency meeting in the capital Kinshasa.
  People were advised to stay calm, but some complained about the lack of information from the authorities amid conflicting accounts circulating on social networks.
  Mount Nyiragongo is one of the most active volcanoes in the world. There were concerns that its work had not been properly monitored by the Goma Volcano Observatory, as the World Bank had reduced funding for allegations of corruption.
  In a May 10 report, the observer warned that seismic activity at Nyiragongo had increased.
  Last year, the director of the observatory said there was an increased risk of a strong eruption in the coming years. However, he warned that an earthquake could trigger a disaster earlier.
  The most devastating eruption of the volcano occurred in 1977, when more than 600 people died.