1.   Throughout the capital, there was a sense that the current had quickened and the rumble of a great waterfall could be heard close ahead.

2.   Heavy shooting was also heard close to the Buyenzi military base, close to the city centre, amid speculation that the base itself may have come under attack.

3.   Firing of rocket-propelled grenades was heard close by while the sound of automatic arms fire seemed to come from several areas of the centre of Goma.

4.   Fierce battles with automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenade launchers could be heard close to the central Goma hotel where an AFP correspondent was based.