Goma: The Nyamulagira volcano in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has been erupting since Saturday, with lava flowing from its crater across its northern, western, and southwestern flanks, confirmed sources from the Goma Volcanological Observatory (OVG).

According to Ghana News Agency, the latest satellite imagery indicates that three distinct lava flows have formed, with the furthest reaching approximately 7 kilometers. Balagizi highlighted that a vibrant fiery glow can be seen at the volcano’s summit from Goma, the capital of North Kivu province. Despite the ongoing natural disaster, there has been no official response from the DRC authorities. Nyamulagira, situated within the confines of Virunga National Park, is noted as one of the most active volcanoes on the African continent. The area’s complex geopolitical situation, characterized by the presence of March 23 Movement (M23) rebels, complicates the efforts of OVG in monitoring the volcano.

The observatory staff have faced challenges,
including a recent strike related to unpaid wages. This unrest comes amid a precarious situation in Goma, which is in close proximity to another active volcano, Nyiragongo, whose last eruption in May 2021 resulted in at least 32 fatalities. The last recorded activity of Nyamulagira was on March 14, 2023, and while its eruptions typically do not pose a direct threat to North Kivu’s capital, they have historically affected the surrounding areas, including parts of Virunga National Park and nearby roads.