Evacuations in eruption-hit Congo city

Congolese authorities have ordered the partial evacuation of Goma, a city that has been rocked by hundreds of earthquakes and seen large cracks appear in the earth in the aftermath of a volcanic eruption at the weekend.

More than 20,000 people are homeless and 40 are still missing following Saturday evening's eruption, which sent rivers of lava flowing toward Goma, killing at least 31 people and destroying more than 3000 homes, according to the United Nations.

The lava from Mount Nyiragongo stopped just 300 metres short of Goma airport, the main hub for aid operations in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

Seismic and ground deformation data indicates the presence of magma under Goma, extending under Lake Kivu, said Ndima Kongba, the military governor of North Kivu province.

"Given these scientific observations, an eruption on land or under the lake cannot be ruled out at present, and it could occur with very little or no warning," Kongba said.

Ten neighbourhoods of the city needed to evacuate to Sake, another lakeside town around 21km northwest, he said.

"Evacuation is compulsory, those who do not adhere swiftly, carry unnecessary risks. A return home can only take place on the recommendation of the provincial authority."

On Wednesday the UN said it was temporarily relocating around 250 non-essential staff, around half of its aid workers, and about 1500 of their dependents to the city of Bukavu, around 50km south.