NATURE

The famous Nyiragongo volcano, near the city of Goma, in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), suddenly became active on Saturday evening. On Sunday, the flaming, red-glowing lava pouring out of the volcano appeared to have halted after reaching the suburbs of the city of Goma. 

Take a look at how people fled following the eruption:

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Here is a general view taken on Saturday in Goma in the east of the DR Congo showing flame spewing from the Nyiragongo volcano. 

Thousands of Goma residents were seen leaving the city following the sudden activity of the Nyiragongo volcano.

This general view of the distant volcano was taken from Tchegera Island outside Goma on Lake Kivu in eastern DR Congo.

Thousands of people, including these two children, fled when Mount Nyiragongo erupted, sending the still-unstable molten rock on a path to the eastern city of Goma.

Around a dozen earth tremors were felt in Goma in the early morning of Sunday.

The last time Nyiragongo had erupted was January 17, 2002.

This resident carried a suitcase on his head as Congolese people fled from Goma, at the border point known as "Petite Barriere" in Gisenyi, Rwanda.

Some, like this child, got lost . . .

It was a case of no taking chances. The last time Nyiragongo had erupted, it killed more than a hundred people and covered almost all of the eastern part of Goma with lava, including half of the airport's landing strip.

Here, these Congolese fleeing from Goma rested on a street near the border in Gisenyi, Rwanda after the eruption of the Nyiragongo volcano.

Many slept with their belongings on the street . . .

Officials said the lava had reached Goma city airport -- located on the outskirts of the metropolis on the shores of Lake Kivu -- although residents said it had stopped at the edge of the facility.

Smoldering ashes were seen early Sunday morning in Goma.

Residents were seen standing next to destroyed structures near smouldering ashes Sunday morning.

"People are beginning to return to their homes. The situation seems to have calmed down for the moment," one resident said.

"But people are still scared. The authorities still haven't made any official announcement so far this morning," added that resident.