Voix du Paysan to educate and inform citizens, a commitment to social and climate justice.
In the north-western part of the city of Goma, in the Lac Vert neighbourhood, the natural gas known as Mazuku continues to cause tragic loss of human life. The most recent incident occurred on December 16, when a young security guard employed by the company YDW died of asphyxiation after being exposed to this toxic gas. Naturally present in this volcanic zone, Mazuku is a deadly gas, colourless and odourless, which makes it particularly difficult for local populations to detect. It often accumulates in low-lying areas, poorly ventilated houses or pits, exposing residents to an invisible but permanent danger. Despite the recurrence of incidents, local inhabitants continue to live with daily anxiety, confronted with a natural phenomenon whose effects are as sudden as they are fatal.
A persistent warning from local authorities in the face of a widespread threat
Faced with this alarming situation, the head of the Lac Vert neighbourhood, Dedesi Mitima, has once again sounded the alarm, referring to contamination that could affect nearly 80 percent of the area. According to him, the threat is constant and leaves residents with no respite, many of whom are still unaware of the most exposed zones. He calls on residents to increase vigilance, particularly by avoiding high-risk areas and improving ventilation in homes. At the same time, Dedesi Mitima appeals to provincial authorities to take urgent and concrete measures to address this natural danger. He insists on the need for a rapid, coordinated and visible response, commensurate with the seriousness of the situation experienced by the population of this densely populated neighbourhood of Goma.
Urgent measures expected to prevent further tragedies
Among the priority actions recommended are the immediate isolation of high-risk zones, their effective securing, and the installation of clearly visible warning signs to alert the population. The Lac Vert neighbourhood, located near Lake Kivu, is regularly struck by similar incidents, highlighting the extreme urgency of strengthening prevention and protection mechanisms. Awareness campaigns, scientific identification of gas pockets, and the establishment of detection systems could help save lives. As long as structural measures are not taken, Mazuku will continue to represent a deadly threat to residents, making this situation a genuine public health and environmental security challenge for the city of Goma.
The Editorial Team
North Kivu, Goma, in the Lac Vert neighbourhood, Mazuku gas spreads death amid indifference and revives the urgency of a public response to a permanent natural danger
