Mount Nyiragongo, a volcano in the Democratic Republic of Congo, erupted over the weekend, lighting up the night sky and sending rivers of rocky lava down its slopes toward Goma, a city with nearly 2 million residents. Tens of thousands of people fled from their homes overnight. The flow of lava halted on the outskirts of Goma the following day, damaging several outlying villages and destroying more than 500 homes, but stopping short of the city limits. At least 20 people have reportedly lost their lives, including five who died from inhaling toxic fumes and several others who were killed in accidents that happened during the chaotic evacuation. Residents also returned the following day to survey the damage and search for loved ones.
Photos: Lava Flows From Mount Nyiragongo
- Alan Taylor
- May 24, 2021
- 24 Photos
- In Focus
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A view toward the eruption of Mount Nyiragongo on May 22, 2021, seen from Tchegera Island, outside Goma, on Lake Kivu, in the Democratic Republic of Congo #
Alex Miles / AFP / Getty -
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Flowing lava from Mount Nyiragongo is seen between buildings in Goma on May 22, 2021. #
Enoch David via Reuters -
A person throws water on a burning building after the lava flow set it ablaze on May 22, 2021, in Goma. #
Enoch David via Reuters -
Goma residents are seen leaving the city following the sudden volcanic activity of Mount Nyiragongo on May 22, 2021. #
Guerchom Ndebo / AFP / Getty -
A person stands in front of lava from the eruption of Mount Nyiragongo in Buhene, on the outskirts of Goma, in the early hours of Sunday, May 23, 2021. #
Justin Kabumba / AP -
Peacekeepers from the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo stand guard as civilians gather with their belongings following volcanic activity at Mount Nyiragongo, near Goma, on May 22, 2021. #
Olivia Acland / Reuters -
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Congolese people who fled Goma sleep with their belongings on a street near the border in Gisenyi, Rwanda, on May 23, 2021. #
Simon Wohlfahrt / AFP / Getty -
This view shows a structure still standing, surrounded by the lava flow from the previous day's eruption, on May 23, 2021. #
Moses Sawasawa / AFP / Getty -
The lava flow, seen from above, cuts through Buhene, north of Goma, on May 24, 2021. #
Justin Kabumba / AP -
Volcanic rocks engulf buildings in Bushara village on May 23, 2021. #
Justin Katumwa / AFP / Getty -
People climb on the cooling edge of the lava flow in Goma on May 23, 2021. #
Justin Kabumba / AP -
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Men walk past still-smoking volcanic rocks in Goma on May 23, 2021. #
Guerchom Ndebo / AFP / Getty -
Residents walk through smoke from smoldering lava in Goma on May 23, 2021. #
Moses Sawasawa / AFP / Getty -
The front of a lava flow moves through a residential district on May 23, 2021, in Goma. #
Guerchom Ndebo / AFP / Getty -
Residents look through the rubble of destroyed homes near Goma on May 23, 2021. #
Olivia Acland / Reuters -
Lava from Mount Nyiragongo surrounds a house in Goma on May 23, 2021. #
Moses Sawasawa / AFP / Getty -
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An aerial view of the lava flow, taken by a drone on May 23, 2021 #
Djaffar Al Katanty / Reuters -
A man uses his cellphone to take pictures of destroyed homes on May 23, 2021. #
Djaffar Al Katanty / Reuters -
Lava from the eruption of Mount Nyiragongo cuts through Buhene, north of Goma, on May 24, 2021. #
Justin Kabumba / AP -
Building debris sits among smoldering volcanic rocks on May 23, 2021, in Goma. #
Guerchom Ndebo / AFP / Getty -
A closer view of the lava, seen on May 23, 2021 #
Moses Sawasawa / AFP / Getty -
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People gather on cooling volcanic rocks, following the overnight eruption of Mount Nyiragongo, in Goma on May 23, 2021. #
Justin Kabumba / AP -
People who fled to Rwanda during the overnight eruption of Mount Nyiragongo return to Goma, Congo, in the early hours of May 23, 2021. #
Justin Kabumba / AP -
An aerial view shows the lava flow among houses in Bushara village on May 23, 2021. #
Justin Katumwa / AFP / Getty
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