View Full Version : Latest on Goma??
4granted
20th Jan 2002, 02:27
Anyone gone into Goma or know of whats the airport like? Been approached here in Geneva for some info for an emergency a/c but dont have any gaff.
cheers
hb4g
tired
21st Jan 2002, 13:03
I haven't been there, but I'm given to understand that the runway is under a couple of feet of lava.
Gemini is running into Kigali for the US Govmt. Supplies to be trucked to Congo.
PAXboy
21st Jan 2002, 19:03
BBC News Web site reports that lava flows have reached the fuel farm, does not say if it is at the airport or was one for the town.
Hot lava and a fuel farm did what you would expect them to do and killed a number of people who were there to loot petrol.
Is Goma in Africa? <img src="rolleyes.gif" border="0">
[ 21 January 2002: Message edited by: PAXboy ]</p>
Peter Pan
22nd Jan 2002, 00:06
AirServ is active in the area <a href="http://www.airserv.org" target="_blank">www.airserv.org</a>
Max Torque
23rd Jan 2002, 00:10
I talked to a reliable source with the UN yesterday, and his information was that there is 1500 m left of usable runway, the rest is covered by lava. The airport is open for rotary, closed for fixed wing, and that by NOTAM, so there is an insurance issue here as well. Security is non-existent and there are looters.. .The fuel farm is partially intact, but for how long one wonders. The fireball was a filling station downtown. . .It will be interesting to see how the aid community copes with this, but really the only large scale logistical option will be air into Kigali and then by truck. Pity flying boats went out of style.