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Goma, South Kivu, May 22 2021. At night, residents flee the eruption of Nyiragongo volcano. This image was among the first that Fondation Carmignac's Congo in Conversation contributor Guerchom Ndebo filed to Agence France-Presse within hours of the eruption and it was widely published internationally. Guerchom Ndebo for Fondation Carmignac.

Covering Nyiragongo’s Eruption

byFinbarr O'Reilly,Guerchom Ndeboand2 others
June 2, 2021
in Environment
Reading Time: 15 mins read

Goma, North Kivu, May 22 2021. At night, residents flee the eruption of Nyiragongo volcano. This image was among the first that Fondation Carmignac’s Congo in Conversation contributor Guerchom Ndebo filed to Agence France-Presse within hours of the eruption and it was widely published internationally.
Guerchom Ndebo for Fondation Carmignac.

Photographer Guerchom Ndebo was relaxing at home on the evening of May 22nd when a friend called to ask him to go up on his roof. “The volcano is really glowing tonight, go and take a picture for me,” his friend told him. When Ndebo climbed up the concrete stairwell to the roof of his four-storey apartment building in the eastern Congolese city of Goma, it looked like the sky was on fire.

These reports by Congo in Conversation photographers were published in many international medias, Moses Sawasawa in The Guardian, Guerchom Ndebo in Business Insider and Raissa Karama Rwizibuka in two articles of El Pais (here and there).

On the street below, crowds of people were streaming past carrying belongings. Within minutes, news spread that Nyiragongo volcano was erupting for the first time in nearly two decades. A river of lava was pouring downhill in the direction of Ndebo’s neighbourhood. He ran back down to his apartment, and grabbed his camera gear and headed out the door to shoot. But he quickly turned around, realizing he’d forgotten the memory card. He bolted out again, but had to return twice more for his camera strap, and for a bag with his computer.

“It was stressful and I couldn’t think straight at first, but then once I started photographing, I felt more calm and focused,” Ndebo said. “It confirmed that photography is the right job for me.”

Goma, South Kivu, May 22 2021. Nyiragongo volcano erupts. Guerchom Ndebo for Fondation Carmignac.
Goma, North Kivu, May 22 2021. Nyiragongo volcano erupts. Guerchom Ndebo for Fondation Carmignac.

Across town, Arlette Bashizi and Moses Sawasawa were on a bus returning from taking photos for a story they were working on when they too saw the glowing sky. Bashizi rushed home to check on her family and urged Sawasawa to do likewise.

I was at a lakeside restaurant when a man entered and announced the news of the eruption. Planning a night off, I had left my cameras on the other side of town and only had a small mirrorless camera with me. I hopped on a motorcycle taxi and rushed to meet Ndebo in the center of town, where thousands of confused residents were rushing in various directions, hauling with them bags of belongings, mattresses, livestock, and frightened children. The last eruption in 2002 destroyed one third of the city, killed more than 200 people, and left more than 100,000 people homeless.

  • Goma, South Kivu, May 22 2021. At night, residents flee the eruption of Nyiragongo volcano on the night of May 22. Finbarr O'Reilly for Fondation Carmignac
  • Residents flee the eruption of Nyiragongo volcano on the night of May 22. Moses Sawasawa for Fondation Carmignac
  • Residents flee the eruption of Nyiragongo volcano on the night of May 22. Finbarr O'Reilly for Fondation Carmignac
  • Residents flee the eruption of Nyiragongo volcano on the night of May 22. Finbarr O'Reilly for Fondation Carmignac
Goma, North Kivu, May 22 2021. At night, residents flee the eruption of Nyiragongo volcano on the night of May 22. [1] Finbarr O’Reilly for Fondation Carmignac [2] Moses Sawasawa for Fondation Carmignac [3] & [4] Finbarr O’Reilly for Fondation Carmignac

Sawasawa joined me and Ndebo shortly afterwards and together we documented the chaos of the panicked exodus from town. With conflicting information, people were begging to know which direction to flee – east across the border to Rwanda, or west toward higher ground near the town of Sake.

The glowing wall of lava from Mount Nyiragongo, one of the world’s most active and dangerous volcanos, stopped just short of the city center and Goma’s international airport, but destroyed 17 villages and left at least thirty-two people dead. Up to 20,000 people lost their homes. Many people returned to town the following morning once the lava had stopped flowing, but several hundred aftershocks in the following days kept residents on edge. Panic ensued again five days after the initial eruption when the government issued a midnight order to evacuate much of the city for fear of another eruption. There was also the threat of a rare limnic eruption. Lake Kivu holds vast underwater gas reserves of both carbon dioxide and methane. If released by an earthquake or contact with molten lava, the gases could explode or unleash vast poisonous clouds that would kill any living being within dozens of kilometers. This time, nearly half a million people fled to Rwanda and the town of Sake, 20 kilometers west of Goma, where there are few facilities to accommodate the displaced. Some 1,361 children were separated from their parents during the chaos and the Red Cross and UNICEF worked to reunite families.

  • Smoke, fumes, and dust from a rockfall (left) inside the crater of Mount Nyamulagira in eastern Democratic of Congo on Sunday May 30, eight days after the eruption of the adjacent Mount Nyiragongo forced the evacuation of much of the nearby city of Goma and left left 32 people dead and 20,000 homeless. Finbarr O'Reilly for Fondation Carmignac
  • Smoke and fumes in the crater of Mount Nyamulagira in eastern Democratic of Congo on Sunday May 30, eight days after the eruption of the adjacent Mount Nyiragongo forced the evacuation of much of the nearby city of Goma and left 32 people dead and 20,000 homeless. Finbarr O'Reilly for Fondation Carmignac
  • Smoke and ash billows from the crater of Mount Nyiragongo in eastern Democratic of Congo on Sunday May 30, eight days after a volcanic eruption forced the evacuation of much of the nearby city of Goma and left 32 people dead and 20,000 homeless. Hundreds of thousands of people were displaced, and more than 500,000 people had no access to clean drinking water after Goma’s main reservoir and the pipes were damaged during the eruption. Finbarr O'Reilly for Fondation Carmignac
Smoke, fumes, and dust from a rockfall (left) inside the crater of Mount Nyamulagira in eastern Democratic of Congo on Sunday May 30, eight days after the eruption of the adjacent Mount Nyiragongo forced the evacuation of much of the nearby city of Goma and left left 32 people dead and 20,000 homeless. Finbarr O’Reilly for Fondation Carmignac

More than 232,400 people were displaced to Sake, Rutshuru, Lubero, Minova and Bukavu, and half a million displaced were without clean drinking water as the few humanitarian agencies that remained operational struggled to meet the needs of so many who had fled with few possessions.

Video by Moses Sawasawa

In the neighborhood of Buhene, which was covered by lava on the night of the eruption, schoolteacher Judith Kyakimwe-Meso, 33, pointed to where her schoolhouse and her home used to stand. “My house was on this hill here beside those burning trees,” she said while overlooking the charred landscape still smoldering almost a week after the eruption. “Now my two children and I have nothing, it’s all gone. We are hungry and thirsty but have no money to go anywhere. We should have just died because now we can just die slowly instead of quickly in the lava.”

  • People flee in a moment of panic as an aftershock hits the neighbourhood of Buhene the morning after the eruption. Finbarr O'Reilly for Fondation Carmignac
  • People cross the cooling lava flow in search of a safe place to stay after the eruption. Guerchom Ndebo for Fondation Carmignac
  • People cross the cooling lava flow in search of a safe place to stay while others transport goods to the market in Goma two days after the eruption. Guerchom Ndebo for Fondation Carmignac
  • People cross the cooling lava flow in search of a safe place to stay while others transport goods to the market in Goma two days after the eruption. Guerchom Ndebo for Fondation Carmignac
[1] People flee in a moment of panic as an aftershock hits the neighbourhood of Buhene the morning after the eruption. Finbarr O’Reilly for Fondation Carmignac [2], [3] & [4] People cross the cooling lava flow in search of a safe place to stay while others transport goods to the market in Goma two days after the eruption. Guerchom Ndebo for Fondation Carmignac

Throughout the crisis, Congo in Conversation contributors worked together, sharing information and security advice, as well as camera equipment and laptops, while covering unfolding events for various global media outlets and humanitarian agencies.

  • On the morning after the eruption Congo in Conversation photographer Guerchom Ndebo continued to file photographs for Agence France-Press, including this image of people crossing lava still smouldering and releasing noxious gases as it cools.
  • Congo in Conversation contributor Moses Sawasawa was also filing pictures to Agence France-Press, including this image of the main road north of Goma, which had been buried in parts by the lava flow.
  • A boy carrying a Chukudu, or wooden bike, surveys lava cooling in the Buhene neighborhood after the eruption of Nyiragongo volcano. Moses Sawasawa for Fondation Carmignac
[1] On the morning after the eruption Congo in Conversation photographer Guerchom Ndebo continued to file photographs for Agence France-Press, including this image of people crossing lava still smouldering and releasing noxious gases as it cools. [2] Congo in Conversation contributor Moses Sawasawa was also filing pictures to Agence France-Press, including this image of the main road north of Goma, which had been buried in parts by the lava flow. [3] A boy carrying a Chukudu, or wooden bike, surveys lava cooling in the Buhene neighborhood after the eruption of Nyiragongo volcano. Moses Sawasawa for Fondation Carmignac

Within hours of the eruption, Ndebo and Sawasawa were filing a steady stream of images to editors at Agence France-Presse. Their photographs were widely published around the world, including by National Geographic, Time Magazine, The New York Times, The Washington Post, and Al Jazeera. Moses Sawasawa also worked for The Associated Press in the days immediately after the eruption and was later hired by MSF to document relief efforts. I also reported for The New York Times.

Beyond the breaking news, Arlette Bashizi and Bernadette Vivuya were hired by UNICEF to cover the humanitarian situation. Ley Uwera’s work was featured in The New Humanitarian while Clarice Butsapu’s work was also published by the AP.

  • General view of destruction caused by the lava flow the morning after the eruption of Nyiragongo volcano. Moses Sawasawa for Fondation Carmignac
  • Mount Nyiragongo looms above the city of Goma in eastern Democratic of Congo on Sunday May 30, eight days after the eruption. Finbarr O'Reilly for Fondation Carmignac
[1] General view of destruction caused by the lava flow the morning after the eruption of Nyiragongo volcano. Moses Sawasawa for Fondation Carmignac [2] Mount Nyiragongo looms above the city of Goma in eastern Democratic of Congo on Sunday May 30, eight days after the eruption. Finbarr O’Reilly for Fondation Carmignac

Collectively, their work has shown international audiences what happened during the eruption, the continuing human toll during the aftermath, and ongoing efforts as the city once again begins to rebuild.

  • People flee Goma towards the town of Sake five days after the eruption following an order from the government to evacuate the city for fear of another eruption. Ley Uwera for Fondation Carmignac
  • People displaced by the eruption gather for the distribution of aid in Munigi on the northern outskirts of Goma. Moses Sawasawa for Fondation Carmignac
  • People displaced by the eruption gather for the distribution of aid in Munigi on the northern outskirts of Goma. Finbarr O'Reilly for Fondation Carmignac
  • A woman is given water as people flee town on the morning after the eruption. Arlette Bashizi for Fondation Carmignac
  • People seek refuge in a church in the town of Sake after the government ordered the evacuation of most of the city of Goma, leaving hundreds of thousands of people displaced and with almost no assistance. Guerchom Ndebo for Fondation Carmignac
  • Bahati, who fled across the border into Rwanda, rests at a centre for people displaced by the eruption, in Rugero, Rwanda. Ley Uwera for Fondation Carmignac
  • Women and children take shelter in a church in the town of Sake in eastern Democratic of Congo on Wednesday, 11 days after a volcanic eruption forced the evacuation of much of the nearby city of Goma and left 32 people dead and 20,000 homeless. Hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced, and more than 500,000 people have no access to clean drinking water after Goma’s main reservoir and pipes were damaged during the eruption. Finbarr O'Reilly for Fondation Carmignac
[1] People flee Goma towards the town of Sake five days after the eruption following an order from the government to evacuate the city for fear of another eruption. Ley Uwera for Fondation Carmignac [2] People displaced by the eruption gather for the distribution of aid in Munigi on the northern outskirts of Goma. Moses Sawasawa for Fondation Carmignac [3] People displaced by the eruption gather for the distribution of aid in Munigi on the northern outskirts of Goma. Finbarr O’Reilly for Fondation Carmignac [4] A woman is given water as people flee town on the morning after the eruption. Arlette Bashizi for Fondation Carmignac [5] People seek refuge in a church in the town of Sake after the government ordered the evacuation of most of the city of Goma, leaving hundreds of thousands of people displaced and with almost no assistance. Guerchom Ndebo for Fondation Carmignac [6] Bahati, who fled across the border into Rwanda, rests at a centre for people displaced by the eruption, in Rugero, Rwanda. Ley Uwera for Fondation Carmignac [7] Women and children take shelter in a church in the town of Sake in eastern Democratic of Congo on Wednesday, 11 days after a volcanic eruption forced the evacuation of much of the nearby city of Goma and left 32 people dead and 20,000 homeless. Hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced, and more than 500,000 people have no access to clean drinking water after Goma’s main reservoir and pipes were damaged during the eruption. Finbarr O’Reilly for Fondation Carmignac
Tags: InsecurityVolcano
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Finbarr O'Reilly

Finbarr O'Reilly

Finbarr O’Reilly is an independent photographer and multimedia journalist, and the author of the nonfiction memoir, Shooting Ghosts, A U.S. Marine, a Combat Photographer, and Their Journey Back from War (Penguin Random House 2017). Finbarr lived for 12 years in West and Central Africa and has spent two decades covering conflicts in Congo, Chad, Sudan, Afghanistan, Libya, and Gaza. He is the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize exhibition photographer and a frequent contributor to The New York Times. His photography and multimedia work has earned numerous industry honors, including First Place in the Portraits category at the 2019 World Press Photo Awards. He was also winner of the World Press Photo of the Year in 2006 and earned a 2020 Emmy for the PBS Frontline documentary Ebola in Congo. Finbarr is a Canon Ambassador.

Guerchom Ndebo

Guerchom Ndebo

Artist photographer and director, passionate about images, Guerchom Ndebo uses photography to communicate his concerns on complex subjects and to stimulate reflection on contemporary issues. At the heart of his artistic approach, the concepts of equality, cultural differences, solidarity and decadence collide.

Moses Sawasawa

Moses Sawasawa

Moses Sawasawa is a freelance photographer based in Goma, covering humanitarian issues, culture, health, and daily life. He is the cofounder of Collectif Goma Oeil, which promotes positive images of Congo.

Arlette Bashizi

Arlette Bashizi

Arlette Bashizi is a freelance photographer based in Goma covering music, culture and daily life. She is a member of the Collectif Goma Oeil and the Congo Women’s Photographers Network.

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