Eruption of Nyiragongo in the DRC: the city of Goma spared, the inhabitants are gradually returning
An aerial view shows debris engulfing buildings in the village of Bushara, Nyiragongo region, near Goma, on May 23, 2021. AFP - JUSTIN KATUMWA
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6 mins
The Nyiragongo volcano, which erupted on Saturday May 22 around 7:00 p.m., is now at a standstill and the city of Goma, panicked last night, has so far been spared.
Many Congolese who had fled their homes, as far as neighboring Rwanda, are returning home.
According to the military governor of the region, five people lost their lives.
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Throughout the night, conflicting information circulated on social networks, accompanied by images of roads and houses on fire.
The main lava flow that threatened Goma finally stopped in Buhene, on the outskirts of the city, "
about two kilometers
", explains the mayor of Goma, joined by
David Baché
from the Africa service.
Information confirmed by the military governor of the region who announced that the city had been "spared" by the lava from the volcano, which did not reach the airport either.
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To read also
: Eruption of the Nyiragongo volcano in the DRC: the lava flow has stopped but the tremors persist
After the panic of the night, the time has come for relief for the inhabitants of Goma. "
Calm has returned,
" says the mayor. Many feared losing everything, as in the last volcano eruption in 2002, which destroyed a third of the city. A man told us this Sunday morning that he had watched for hours with his family, ready for an emergency departure to Bukavu a little further south. He was finally able to have breakfast in his house.
The approximately 8,000 people who had crossed the Rwandan border, meanwhile, spent the night in the Rubavu stadium, in schools or in the street ... But the majority have already returned to Goma this Sunday morning, so that slight earthquakes were still being felt in the area, reports our correspondent in Kigali,
Laure Broulard
.
The fact remains that many homes have burned down in the surrounding villages, that tremors are still being felt and that caution remains in order.
"
It can still bounce back
" according to the mayor of Goma, Thimote Mwisa Kyense.
People are starting to come back little by little (…) but it can still bounce back.
Nothing is certain yet.
We will observe the movement throughout the day.
Timothée Mwissa Kiense, Mayor of Goma
David Baché
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