World

DRC Records 61 Earthquakes in a Day After Volcanic Eruption of Mount Nyiragongo

Sunday, May 30, 2021 at 11:03 PM by Maryn Blignaut Kelly Lippke

- This succeeds a volcanic eruption of the mountain on Saturday, May 22

- The earthquakes were a result of the continued collapse of the volcano's crater

- Since Saturday's eruption that killed at least 31 people, the area has experienced a series of earthquakes and tremors

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Seismologists in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on Saturday, May 29, reported a total of 61 earthquakes in a single day around Mount Nyiragongo volcano.

Thousands of panic-stricken residents carrying mattresses and other belongings fled the city. Photo: Getty Images.
Source: Getty Images

This succeeds a volcanic eruption of the mountain on Saturday, May 22, which displaced thousands of eastern city of Goma residents, which hosts over two million people.

According to a daily report by the Goma Volcanic Observatory (GVO), cited by international media outlets, the earthquakes were a result of the continued collapse of the volcano's crater.

Since Saturday's eruption that killed at least 31 people, the area has experienced a series of earthquakes and tremors as stated by the country's provincial government spokesperson.

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Around 400,000 people have since fled the city with officials warning of a second eruption.

The report further warned that the lava flows may cause asphyxiation, severe burns or death.

Following the incident as previously reported, thousands of panic-stricken residents carrying mattresses and other belongings fled the city on foot, with many heading towards Rwanda.

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According to the country's ministry in charge of emergency management, more than 3,500 Congolese had already crossed the border to Rwanda.

The ministry said those affected would be lodged in schools and places of worship.

Nyiragongo's volcano last erupted in 2002, killing 250 people and left more than 120,000 others homeless.

In other news, Briefly News reported President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the nation on Sunday evening. He started his address reminding South Africans that it had been a while since he had addressed the nation on Covid-19.