Nyiragongo volcano has erupted

Nyiragongo volcano erupted near the eastern Congo town of Goma on Saturday night. Local authorities officially announced this.

The military governor of North Kivu has confirmed “the eruption of Nyiragongo volcano on May 22nd, starting at 7:00 pm”.

And the military governor called, in a message broadcast by local radio stations, to remain calm. “The investigation is underway and the residents must follow the Civil Protection guidelines,” she added. “We will provide residents with more information about safe places.”

Agence France-Presse learned that a UN helicopter made a reconnaissance flight over the volcano. An eruption has been confirmed, but lava is currently flowing towards Rwanda. So Goma and the surrounding area are safe.

The previous eruption of Nyiragongo volcano, which is over 3000 meters high, dates back to January 17, 2002. It killed more than a hundred people. Almost all of the eastern part of Goma is covered in lava, including half of the airport runway.

The deadliest explosion occurred in 1977, when over 600 people were killed.

Goma is located in an area of six volcanoes, the highest of which is Nyiragongo and Nyamuragira.