Thousands of people have fled their homes in the Democratic Republic of Congo after a large volcano erupted.

Fountains of high lava burst from Mount Nyiragongo into the night sky forming a thick red cloud over the town of Goma, which has a population of two million.

The lava flow reached the city's airport but has reportedly now stopped.

The volcano, located 10km (six miles) from Goma, last erupted in 2002 killing 250 people and making 120,000 homeless.

During the early hours of Sunday, many residents headed across the nearby Rwandan border, while others went to higher grounds to the west of the city.

Crowds were seen with mattresses and other belongings, fleeing even before the government's announcement, which came several hours after the eruption started.

Rwandan authorities said about 3,000 people had officially crossed from Goma. The country's state media said they would be accommodated in schools and places of worship.

One Goma resident, Richard Bahati, said he was in his house when he heard screaming. "I got out and saw the sky was red. I am so worried, so worried. I lived through the problem with this volcano in 2002. The volcano devastated all our homes and possessions. That's why I'm scared again this time."

"Everyone is afraid, people are running away. We really don't know what to do," local man Zacharie Paluku told the Associated Press news agency.

Electricity was out across large areas, and one highway that connects Goma with the city of Beni was engulfed by the lava. There were also reports of earthquakes.

"There is a smell of sulphur. In the distance you can see giant flames coming out of the mountain," resident Carine Mbala told AFP news agency.

An official from Virunga National Park, where the volcano is located, said in a note to staff that the eruption was similar to the one in 2002 and that everyone near the airport should "evacuate without delay".

People have been advised to stay calm, but some complained about the lack of information from the authorities amid conflicting accounts circulating on social media.

Communications Minister Patrick Muyay said on Twitter that the government was discussing "urgent measures" after the prime minister convened an emergency meeting in the capital, Kinshasa.

In a later update, Mr Muyay said the intensity of the lava flow had slowed and an assessment of the humanitarian situation was ongoing.

The UN peacekeeping mission in the country, Monusco, said it was carrying out reconnaissance flights over the city.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-57215690?iorg_service_id_internal=624173547714020%3BAfovMsSLQd3gIVau

Wow

Nature is beautiful

Type of what we need in Lagos so that people can go back to their various states and hold their USELESS leaders by the throat. Ogun state is one example of the state so rich but the useless corrupt governors just keeps embezzlings for selfish interests.

Lagos is just so field with nuisance...
People should go back to their various states at least to farm.
Some awùsá fool ani abokey will prefer to spend 10k on transportation just to come to Lagos to beg halms.
Instead of staying back in their states to farm and make themselves useful for the society.

Me, I don't ever give them money again. They should go and meet Buhari, Gandóllar, Hell rufai, Dangote, Danjuma and other useless leaders to feed them.
Your people can not be stealing from us and yet, you'll still depend upon us to feed you.

I prefer to give my struggling neighbors and other people around me.

Mr Volcano we need you in Sambisa Phase II and YUSUF’s Compound

God really blessed Nigeria.

UncleKoboko:
Wow

Nature is beautiful

Type of what we need in Lagos so that people can go back to their various states and hold their leaders by the throat. Ogun state is one example of the state so rich but the useless corrupt governors just keeps embezzlings for selfish interests.

Lagos is just so field with nuisance
People should go back to their various states at least to farm.
Some awùsá fool ani abokey will prefer to spend 10k on transportation just to come to Lagos to beg. Instead of staying back in their states to farm and make themselves useful for the society.

how can u be problem for disaster to befall a state even with the current hardship affecting this country... It's not fair... Please erase such from ur mind... Natural disaster will not happen in Nigeria by God's grace

habsydiamond:
how can u be problem for disaster to befall a state even with the current hardship affecting this country... It's not fair... Please erase such from ur mind... Natural disaster will not happen in Nigeria by God's grace

Sometimes, this is the best solution.
Lagos needs reset, proper planning and organisations.

But we have so many rocks in Abuja nau...

Those USELESS sleeping Aso rocks should please wake up!

UncleKoboko:

Sometimes, this is the best solution.

the problem with natural disasters is that it doesn't give room to anyone... Everyone will be affected.. Which I dont think u will want that to happen.

UncleKoboko:

Sometimes, this is the best solution.
Lagos needs reset, proper planning and organisations.

Natural disasters can hardly be controlled; they don't have conscience, you can't tell them to stop when it's happening. And you can't apprehend them. you can only bear with the consequences when they happen.

you may be wishing for a natural disaster for that purpose that you said, but when it happens, you don't know the full extent of its impact. could be more disastrous than what can be contained especially in this country that we have weak capacity and slower response to problems.

Nature's Angry

See the clouds above??

Yeah... that's how you paint the town skies red.

Damnnn niggarrrr
Isoright

I was there!!


Where is that righteousness? Let him come and preach to us how this will end existence of the world in a week time. Werey somebody.

Goddd

Biafra is mext .
BTW after attacking civil defense na civil servant b next terget .
I no mention names woo

I just keep thanking God for Nigeria...that we are not prone to all these naturally disasters...how we for cope? Ordinary flood dey do us shege.

But instead of natural disasters, we repeatedly keep giving ourselves human disasters as leaders.

Nairaland resident pastor come out, your favorite food is ready "Natural disaster"

Come and tell us how close is the end and how the event is unfolding right in our eyes.

The only human being who know the coming of Jesus more than Jesus himself, cause I remember Jesus saying "No one knows the time or hour, not even angels or himself, but the father"

Wahala everywhere

Peace be unto them

God really love Nigeria

Volcano, Be Still .......... so says the Lord.