DR of Congo: UN evacuates staff following volcano eruption in Goma

A volcano today erupted in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), forcing the United Nations to evacuate its personnel from the affected area.

Following the eruption of the Nyaigongo volcano, 350 UN international staff were evacuated by road and by plane from Goma, according to a spokesman for the world body.

A skeletal staff from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), along with non-governmental organizations (NGOs), remained behind to plan assistance to the displaced, but were preparing to evacuate if necessary.

Situated near the border with Rwanda, Nyaigongo is known as one of Africa's most active volcanoes, according to OCHA, which reported that since this morning, lava flow has been observed on both Rwandan and Congolese territory.