DR Congo’s Nyamulagira volcano erupting

KINSHASA, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) — The Nyamulagira volcano, located in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), has been erupting since Saturday and the eruption is going on, sources with the Goma Volcanological Observatory (OVG) confirmed late Monday.
The eruption consists of an overflow of lava from its crater and the lava has been pouring on the northern, western and southwestern flanks, said Charles Balagizi, scientific director of the OVG.
The latest satellite images showed that three lava flows have been formed on the flanks, with the most advanced flow having traveled about 7 km, according to him.
“A fiery glow is visible at the summit of the Nyamulagira volcano, observed from the city of Goma,” the capital of North Kivu province, Balagizi told the Congolese Press Agency, the official outlet of the DRC, late Monday.
The DRC authorities have not reacted to the eruption.
The Nyamuragira volcano is considered one of the most active volcanoes in Africa. It is located in the middle of the Virunga National Park, which is largely occupied by the March 23 Movement (M23) rebels, affecting the surveillance of the OVG.
For months, the OVG staff have been on strike, demanding unpaid wages from the DRC authorities.
Goma is home to two active volcanoes, Nyamulagira and Nyiragongo. The Nyiragongo volcano erupted in May 2021, killing at least 32 people.
According to the OVG, Nyamulagira last erupted on March 14, 2023.
Nyamulagira’s activity is normally far from threatening the capital of North Kivu. Its previous eruptions have been directed into the Virunga National Park or toward nearby roads, according to local media. ■