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May 24, 2021

15 Dead, Thousands Left Homeless in Democratic Republic of Congo as Volcano Erupts Near Goma
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In the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, at least 15 people were
killed and thousands more forced to flee their homes as lava from a
volcano near the city of Goma reached their villages and neighborhoods.
Residents blamed the government for failing to warn them of the
impending eruption.

Ernestine Kabuo: "I was with my husband, who is too old, and he didn't
want to leave the house because he was sick. He couldn't walk. I said to
myself, 'I can't go alone. We've been married for the best and for the
worst.' I went back to at least try to get him out, but couldn't. I ran
away, and he got burned inside. I don't know what to do. I curse this
day."

Lava from the eruption flowed to within a mile of Goma's main airport,
but the city of 1 million people appears to have been spared.


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