Thousands of residents have abandoned their homes in a major city in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo after lava flows from a nearby volcano reached its outskirts.

Lava from the eruption of Mount Nyiragongo destroyed homes on the edge of Goma, which has a population of about 1 million people, but appeared to be slowing by midday on Sunday, giving hope that further damage may be avoided.

Kasereka Mahinda, the scientific director of the Vulcanological Observatory of Goma, told local media that the lava flow had stopped 1.5km from Goma’s airport and that the situation was “more and more stable”.

During the night, the bright red glow of the volcano lit up the sky above the lakeside city as thousands of residents carrying mattresses and other belongings fled on foot – many toward the frontier with Rwanda. Many more spent the night in the streets.