Goma, DR Congo:
The danger of additional eruptions from volcano Nyiragongo led DR Congo authorities to order the evacuation of components of the city of Goma Thursday, causing an instant exodus of tens of thousands of individuals, an AFP correspondent mentioned.
“Current data on seismicity and the deformation of the ground indicate the presence of magma under the urban area of Goma, with an extension under Lake Kivu,” the neighborhood military governor General Constant Ndima mentioned in a broadcasted public address.
“Right now we can’t rule out an eruption on land or under the lake, which could happen very soon and without warning,” he added. “The situation can change rapidly, and is being constantly monitored.”
Evacuation is vital and ought to be completed calmly and devoid of rushing, he continued, saying that authorities had arranged transport towards Sake, about 20 kilometres west of Goma, in every of the ten districts of the city impacted.
“People should take the bare minimum with them, to make sure everyone has a chance to get on,” he added.
The announcement was followed by the instant departure of tens of thousands of individuals towards the southwest, in the path of the Rwandan border.
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