This aerial photo, taken on May 23, shows debris engulfing buildings in the Bushara village near Goma, a day after Mount Nyiragongo erupted in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Volcano erupts in the Democratic Republic of Congo
This aerial photo, taken on May 23, shows debris engulfing buildings in the Bushara village near Goma, a day after Mount Nyiragongo erupted in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Justin Katumwa/AFP/Getty Images

Updated 8:16 PM EDT, Sun June 6, 2021

Mount Nyiragongo erupted in the Democratic Republic of Congo on May 22, killing at least 31 people and forcing 30,000 to flee their homes.

An evacuation order was issued in the city of Goma because of fears that the volcano could erupt again.

Mount Nyiragongo is one of several volcanoes near the DRC's border with Rwanda and Uganda. Its last major eruption, in 2002, killed 250 people and displaced thousands.

The May 22 eruption destroyed at least 900 houses and flattened five schools, according to the Norwegian Refugee Council, a humanitarian organization. It also damaged power and water supplies to the city.

Goma residents board boats at the port of Kituku as they flee across Lake Kivu on Friday, May 28.
Goma residents board boats at the port of Kituku as they flee across Lake Kivu on Friday, May 28.
Justin Kabumba/AP
Displaced children take shelter in a church on May 28.
Displaced children take shelter in a church on May 28.
Guerchom Ndebo/AFP/Getty Images
Residents flee Goma on Thursday, May 27, after an evacuation order was issued.
Residents flee Goma on Thursday, May 27, after an evacuation order was issued.
Moses Sawasawa/AP
Children look for shelter in Sake on May 27.
Children look for shelter in Sake on May 27.
Moses Sawasawa/AP
Goma residents board a ferry as they evacuate the city on May 27.
Goma residents board a ferry as they evacuate the city on May 27.
Guerchom Ndebo/AFP/Getty Images
Significant cracks in the ground -- some stretching the entire width of the road, others in the walls of buildings -- have begun to appear following the volcano's eruption.
Significant cracks in the ground -- some stretching the entire width of the road, others in the walls of buildings -- have begun to appear following the volcano's eruption.
Djaffar Al Katanty/Reuters
Displaced residents wait in line to register for aid on Wednesday, May 26.
Displaced residents wait in line to register for aid on Wednesday, May 26.
Guerchom Ndebo/AFP/Getty Images
This aerial photo shows smoke rising from Mount Nyiragongo on Tuesday, May 25.
This aerial photo shows smoke rising from Mount Nyiragongo on Tuesday, May 25.
Eliot Blondet/Abaca/Sipa USA/AP
People cross a lava-covered field in Buhene, north of Goma, on May 25.
People cross a lava-covered field in Buhene, north of Goma, on May 25.
Moses Sawasawa/AFP/Getty Images
Locals gather around a water point at a lava-covered field in Goma on May 25.
Locals gather around a water point at a lava-covered field in Goma on May 25.
Moses Sawasawa/AFP/Getty Images
Goma residents walk through smoke from smoldering lava on May 23.
Goma residents walk through smoke from smoldering lava on May 23.
Moses Sawasawa/AFP/Getty Images
People in Goma start to run after the ground trembled briefly on May 23.
People in Goma start to run after the ground trembled briefly on May 23.
Finbarr O'Reilly/The New York Times/Redux
A person tries to put out a fire in Goma after the volcano's eruption on May 22.
A person tries to put out a fire in Goma after the volcano's eruption on May 22.
Enoch David/Reuters
The volcano's smoke and flames are seen from Tchegera Island on Lake Kivu, near Goma, on May 22.
The volcano's smoke and flames are seen from Tchegera Island on Lake Kivu, near Goma, on May 22.
Alex Miles/Reuters