The death toll from Nyiragongo volcanic eruption in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has risen to 15 after Congolese officials said Monday four more prisoners in the nearby Manzenze prison died in an attempt to escape.
Congolese authorities are investigating the circumstances around the disaster to confirm whether the volcano has stopped, or whether it will continue.
Earlier on Sunday, many families at Rubavu, Rwanda’s twin city with Goma in eastern DR Congo spent sleepless nights after a quake triggered by the volcanic eruption has forced about 3,500 Congolese people to cross the border with while fleeing the disaster.
“I could not sleep because I was so worried,” one resident from Gisenyi told APA in a telephone interview.
So far, Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi has interrupted his sojourn in Europe to return home on Sunday to supervise the coordination of aid.
The previous eruption of the Nyiragongo volcano in 2002 lasted for a day, destroying 15 percent of Goma, including part of the international airport and the business centre.
The volcano is considered by experts as one of the most dangerous volcanoes in the world because of its particularly fast-moving lava, which can flow more than 60 miles per hour.
CU/as/APA