Volcano in eastern Congo erupts, triggering panic in Goma

A lava lake and a mini cone inside the Mount Nyiragongo volcano crater spew gas into the sky inside the Virunga National Park, near Goma, in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo February 12, 2021. Picture REUTERS/Hereward Holland

Mount Nyiragongo in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, one of the world's most active volcanoes, erupted on Saturday, sending panicked residents of the nearby city of Goma fleeing, although a volcanologist said the city did not appear to be in danger.

People grabbed mattresses and other belongings and fled towards the frontier with neighbouring Rwanda as a red glow filled the sky above the city.