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Lake Kivu
The limnic eruption of Lake Kivu, commonly known as the Lake Kivu incident, was a limnic eruption caused by massive mining projects in the area carried out by the Zairian government in an attempt to revitalize the economy. It caused the death of about half a million people, both Zairian and Rwandan, being one of the worst natural disasters in history.
Definition[]
A limnic eruption, also known as a lake overturn, is a very rare type of natural disaster in which dissolved carbon dioxide (CO2) suddenly erupts from deep lake waters, forming a gas cloud capable of suffocating wildlife, livestock, and humans. A limnic eruption may also cause tsunami or seiche as the rising CO2 displaces water. Scientists believe earthquakes, volcanic activity, and other explosive events can serve as triggers for limnic eruptions. Lakes in which such activity occurs are referred to as limnically active lakes or exploding lakes. Only three Limnic eruptions have been recorded in human history. At Lake Monoun, Nyos, and Kivu.
Background[]
In the mid to late 2010s, after a severe civil war in Zaire that caused the destruction of the economy, the government of Zaire green-lighted cobalt mining operations to provide jobs to the locals, along with hopes that it would cause less illegal fishing in the area. This would also cause an influx of population to the area, especially Rwandans from the opposite side of the lake looking for better jobs.
Minor political tensions would increase between the East African Federation and Zaire, due to the migration of workers to the other side of the lake. The East African Federation would tighten border controls due to 'political unrest' in post-conflict Zaire, although, in reality attempting to prevent migration of workers to the better advanced side.
Eruption[]
On 5 July 2022, a loud series of explosions was reported across the lake, followed by a green mist. Livestock were reported to die of asphyxiation, entire mines would be suffocated, and by one survivor, it was reported;
| “ | An entire boat's worth of men seemed to fall to the ground and lay dying. This was before the waves overturned it and devoured them into the sea. | ” |
–Timothée Mwisa Kyese | ||
A Zairian troop who participated in the evacuation of Goma via the Airport.
Within hours, the mist enveloped the ground, with most survivors having retreated to the top of their buildings. The mist would eventually reach the East African Federation, where the police evacuated citizens in the thousands after receiving the news of the eruption. Police forces in Goma in Zaire would attempt an evacuation of citizens stuck on top of buildings, applying wet rags to prevent inhalation of the smoke. 20 police officers would die in the process, with only 30 people rescued. The rest likely remained on top of the building for the rest of the event. Live coverage of the event was broadcasted by Zairian and East African news stations 30 minutes after the eruption. One news helicopter was once even used as a rescue helicopter for a survivor, who would be interviewed later.
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