The volcano is located right next to the city of Goma, which has about 1 million inhabitants.
Although local authorities say there is little danger that the lava flow will reach parts of the city, many fled in panic from their homes.
The eruption began at 7 p.m. local time. Local authorities ask people to follow the messages from the civil defense. Shortly after the eruption began, power went out in large parts of the city.
Strong odor of sulfur over the city
– The dark evening sky shines with a red-hot glow, says a reporter who works for AFP in Goma
There is a strong mist of sulfur over the city, and volcanologist Dario Tedesco tells Reuters that he sees large amounts of lava flowing down from the volcano.
The last time Nyiragongo erupted was in January 2002, when hundreds of people died when large parts of eastern Goma were covered in lava and ash, and hundreds of thousands of people fled the city.
The deadliest outbreak occurred in 1977 when more than 600 people lost their lives.
