13 dead, more than 10 earthquakes recorded after volcano eruption in Congo

At least 13 people were killed when mount Mount Nyiragongo volcano erupted on the outskirts of the eastern city of Goma last night, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) said.

“More than 10 earthquakes have been recorded in the vicinity of Goma following the eruption of the volcano,” government spokesman Patrick Moya said, noting that 13 people have been killed so far.

Moya called on residents to exercise caution, strictly abide by the directives of the provincial authorities and wait for the governor’s decision before returning home.

He said a government delegation immediately went to provide support to the authorities in the face of the crisis, noting that “the development of the situation will be reported as soon as it occurs”.

The volcano erupted last night,  forcing thousands of people to fly with their belongings on foot, some of them towards the nearby border with Rwanda.

The Congo Emergency Management announced that some 4,000 citizens had fled to the border with Rwanda to escape the lava.

E.M