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Nyiragongo volcano erupts in Congo, triggering evacuation as panicked residents scramble to flee to Rwanda (VIDEOS) Nyiragongo volcano erupts in Congo, triggering evacuation as panicked residents scramble to flee to Rwanda (VIDEOS)
(about 11 hours later)
Mount Nyiragongo near the Congolese city of Goma has erupted, sending flames into the sky and spreading a strong smell of sulfur in the vicinity. The government has activated an evacuation plan for the city.Mount Nyiragongo near the Congolese city of Goma has erupted, sending flames into the sky and spreading a strong smell of sulfur in the vicinity. The government has activated an evacuation plan for the city.
The volcano began erupting around 7:00 pm local time on Saturday. Footage shared online shows Nyiragongo spitting smoke and fire into the air, turning the night skies red. The volcano began erupting around 7:00pm local time on Saturday. Footage shared online shows Nyiragongo spitting smoke and fire into the air, turning the night skies red.
The Mount is located some 10 km (6 miles) north of Goma, a city of some 670,000 people, which in turn is only 1 km (0.6 mi) away from the Rwandan border. It is located 10km (6 miles) north of Goma, a city of 670,000 people, which is only 1km from the Rwandan border.
The eruption has caused massive panic among the residents, who rushed to flee to safety to neighbouring Rwanda, many of them on foot. Videos and photos show residents, including small kids, march purportedly towards the border together with their belongings. The eruption caused panic among residents, who rushed to flee to safety to neighboring Rwanda, many on foot. Videos and photos show people, including children, purportedly walking towards the border carrying their belongings.
Rwanda public broadcaster reported that more than 3,000 refugees have already crossed the border. Rwanda’s public broadcaster reported that more than 3,000 refugees have already crossed the border.
School, churches and other facilities will house those fleeing the calamity, Rwanda Broadcasting Agency (RBA) said. School, churches, and other facilities will house those fleeing the calamity, Rwanda Broadcasting Agency (RBA) said.
There have been reports of lava rapidly moving toward the city, and that lava flows were about to reach the Goma International Airport.There have been reports of lava rapidly moving toward the city, and that lava flows were about to reach the Goma International Airport.
The Democratic Republic of Congo government announced evacuation for the city. Government spokesman Patrick Muyaya tweeted that the government was “discussing the urgent measures'' to deal with the situation. As the residents scrambled to evacuate, power outrages were reported across Goma. The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo announced an evacuation of the city. Government spokesman Patrick Muyaya tweeted that the government was “discussing... urgent measures” to deal with the situation. As the residents scrambled to evacuate, power outages were reported across Goma.
The last eruption of the volcano, which is one of the world’s most active, claimed some 250 lives in 2002, leaving tens of thousands people homeless.  The last eruption of the volcano, which is one of the world’s most active, claimed 250 lives in 2002, leaving tens of thousands homeless.
Nyiragongo's most deadliest eruption took place in 1977. At the time, flows of lava swept through the city, ravaging it at speeds of up to 60 kilometers per hour (37mph). The exact death toll from that eruption is unknown. AFP reported that more than 600 peopled were killed at the time. Nyiragongo’s deadliest eruption took place in 1977. At the time, flows of lava swept through the city at speeds of up to 60kph (37mph). The death toll from that eruption is unknown. AFP reported that more than 600 people were killed at the time.
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