The UN Children’s Fund says hundreds of children and families in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Goma district are at risk following the volcanic eruption of Mount Nyiragongo.

The sky turned red, and lava spewed from the volcano on Saturday, causing thousands to flee the city of two million, located just to the south.

News reports indicate that up to five may have died during the evacuation, and some houses have reportedly been lost in the north of Goma.

UNICEF added that more than 150 children had been separated from their families, and more than 170 are feared to be missing.

More than 5,000 people crossed the border into Rwanda from Goma as the slow-moving lava spewed, and at least 25,000 were displaced in Sake, 25 kilometres northwest of Goma, said the agency.

“However, most people are slowly making their way back home since the lava has stopped flowing this morning,” it stated.

It disclosed that hundreds were returning to find their homes damaged and water and electricity supply severely disrupted.

It is not yet clear how many households were affected by the eruption, said UNICEF.

Scores of children in the area near Goma’s airport have been left homeless and destitute. A UNICEF team has been deployed in the affected areas of Sake, Buhene, Kibati, and Kibumba to provide a first-line response, which includes installing chlorination water points in and around Sake to limit the spread of cholera.

The last time Nyiragongo erupted in 2002, well over 100,000 were left homeless, and around 250 people reportedly killed. It is one of the world’s most active volcanoes, and the deadliest eruption from the lava lake reportedly led to the death of more than 600 in 1977.

Meanwhile, Pope Francis on Sunday called for prayers for Goma residents.

“Let us pray for the population in the city of Goma that is forced to flee because of the eruption of the Nyiragongo Volcano,” the Pope said, speaking to the faithful gathered in St Peter’s Square for the Regina Caeli on Pentecost Sunday.

(PANA/NAN)