For the last five days, Rwanda, particularly Rubavu District and other north-western regions close to the DR Congo border, have experienced relentless earthquakes triggered by Saturday’s eruption of Nyiragongo. The tremors, which have been felt as far as the capital Kigali, have wreaked havoc both in the Congolese eastern city of Goma and Rubavu on the Rwandan side of the border, particularly damaging public infrastructure and homes. And, on Tuesday, some public and private institutions in Rubavu suspended services as volcanic earthquakes continued with greater frequency and strength. Meanwhile, the tremors and fears over ongoing seismic activity at Nyiragongo have seen hundreds of Congolese cross into Rwanda after thousands initially returned home across the border over the weekend. Some households in Rubavu have also left the western lakeside city to seek shelter with relatives in Kigali or elsewhere in the country. Initially, the volcanic earthquakes were mostly small and unlikely to cause significant damage but more powerful tremors were recorded on Tuesday and Wednesday, two of them with magnitudes above 5. Amid all the uncertainty and anxiety, loads of rumours and posts have been circulating, especially on social media platforms, an awful lot of which have been offering half-truths, and, in some cases, made up altogether. However, the government has not been sitting idle, with institutions like the Ministry of Emergency Management and Rwanda Mines, Petroleum and Gas Board, through its department in charge of monitoring earthquakes and seismic waves (Rwanda Seismic Monitor) constantly sharing updates about the situation, in an effort to help counter fake news and speculation. The government has also published a note on the volcanic eruption, urging the public not to panic in the wake of the resultant tremors but instead follow public guidelines. The advisory includes safety tips on what to do when an earthquake strikes, including taking a safe cover, ducking beneath a table or desk, covering your head, and staying away from windows and objects that could fall. If you are in a wheelchair, scientists say you should immediately lock the wheels and protect the back of your head and neck, while those in elevators are strongly advised to leave as soon as they feel a tremor. Members of the public are also advised to avoid bridges, overpasses, underpasses, buildings or anything that could collapse during an earthquake strikes, while motorists should immediately pull over to a safe spot. In view of the prevailing situation, we call on the public to remain vigilant and pay heed to the safety tips being shared by authorities, and to desist from spreading unfounded rumours and unverified posts.
