Goma, 23 May 2021 – UNICEF has reported that more than 150 children have been separated from their families and more than 170 children are feared to be missing as people fled the city of Goma, in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, following Mount Nyiragongo's eruption last night.

More than 5,000 people crossed the border into Rwanda from Goma yesterday, and at least 25,000 were displaced in Sake, 25 km north-west of Goma. However, most people are slowly making their way back home since the lava has stopped flowing this morning.

There is also concern about hundreds of people returning to Goma to find damaged homes and water and electricity shortages.

It is not yet clear how many households have been affected by the eruption in the in Nyiragongo Territory, north of Goma. Scores of children in the area near Goma’s airport have been left homeless and destitute. At least five deaths were directly related to the eruption in Buhene, Kibatshi and Kibumba.

In a bulletin on May 10, the observatory said there had been increased seismic activity at Nyiragongo earlier in the month.