Mt Nyiragongo showing signs of imminent eruption

ENVIRONMENT

Rwanda Red Cross has warned of a possible Nyiragongo volcano eruption in the near future, the country's daily The New Times has reported.

Nyiragongo is one of the eight volcanic mountains in the Virunga Massif. The volcano is located near the town of Goma in eastern DR Congo, close to the Rwandan border.

Press reports from Kigali, indicate that local researchers have reported that that since February 28, 2016 Nyiragongo volcano increased signs of imminent eruption.

The New Times quoted, Dr Dyrckx Dushime, the head of Red Cross in Rubavu District, saying that the active volcano has recently released magma from one hole to another of two kilometers that form smoke on the top of it.

He explained that the volcano now releases polluted gas in the air between 5000 and 50,000 tonnes, per day which include a lot of sand.

Although he said people should not panic, he however cautioned aircrafts against flying over the volcano for fear of engine damage.

Dushime also warned residents in neighbouring areas against using unclean water, especially from rain and to wash vegetables before cooking.

The newspaper also reported that Rwanda's Ministry of Disaster Management and Refugee Affairs' personnel were monitoring developments in the Virunga Massif.

The Nyiragongo volcano last erupted in 2002, causing a lot of damage in both countries and displacing about 400,000 people.