Drone footage captures devastation of Congo's volcanic eruption

 

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 Drone footage has captured the devastating fallout of the volcanic eruption in the Democratic Republic of Congo that caused thousands to flee as lava flowed down from Mount Nyiragongo – leaving behind a river of smouldering rock as tall as buildings. 

 The volcano erupted at night on Saturday, and as lava poured downhill towards the city of Goma, populated by two million people, homes were swallowed and set ablaze. 

 Thousands of people evacuated the area, many into neighbouring Rwanda, but by the next morning the flow had stopped short of Goma.

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• DR Congo orders Goma evacuation after Mount Nyiragongo erupts | Al Jazeera

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People in the North Kivu province in the Democratic Republic of Congo have been returning to their homes after Saturday's eruption of Mount Nyiragongo. 

At least 15 people are reported to have died, most of them while scrambling to flee their homes. Some are saying official warnings to evacuate came too late.

 Provincial authorities say the death toll is likely to rise, as the situation on the ground is still too chaotic for a thorough assessment. 

Aerial pictures show a trail of destruction - a community overrun by lava from Saturday's fatal volcanic eruption. Hundreds of homes were destroyed in eastern Congo. 

 People told of how they'd been forced to leave behind their loved ones as the lava approached. Many more people are missing since the eruption. The survivors left filled with uncertainty about the fate of their loved ones and their own futures. 

There's been criticism of the authorities for failing to alert residents. And while the city of Goma may have been spared - there's no question the villagers to the east have paid a heavy price...