Imagine fleeing your home with your family, only to find that the place you thought was safe is now under attack. That’s the reality for thousands of people in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, where the M23 rebel group has captured the city of Goma after months of intense fighting.

On Monday, the rebels announced they had taken control of Goma, a city that had become a refuge for those escaping the conflict in the countryside. Many of these families had already been uprooted from camps on the outskirts of the city, only to find themselves caught in yet another crisis.

The fighting pits Rwandan-backed M23 rebels against the Congolese army and local militias known as Wazalendo. This decades-long conflict has often been called Africa’s World War, fueled by the region’s rich deposits of rare minerals. While Rwanda denies supporting M23, U.N. experts have linked the rebel group to the neighboring country.

The streets of Goma are now filled with panic. Videos shared by terrified residents show rebels patrolling the city, while gunfire echoes in the background. Congolese soldiers have been seen abandoning their posts, leaving civilians exposed to the advancing forces.

Hospitals are overwhelmed. At one Red Cross-run facility, more than 100 patients arrived in a single day—many injured by artillery. Tents had to be set up in the yard to handle the influx. One woman, Giselle Nsimire, fled her town with her family only to be caught in a bomb blast. Severely wounded, she now lies in a hospital bed, unsure of what the future holds.

For others, like Asifiwe Iragi Rugesha, the only option was to keep moving. She tried to navigate her six children through the chaotic streets, but as M23 closed in on Goma, she knew they were far from safe. “If M23 comes to Goma, we will die,” she said.

Meanwhile, the U.N. has faced criticism for its response. Many locals accuse the peacekeeping force, known as MONUSCO, of failing to protect them. “They have betrayed the Congolese people,” said Patrick Amani, a motorcycle taxi driver.

As the rebels close in, the people of Goma are left with no easy choices. For some, it’s hiding at home. For others, like Sifa Kigugo, who clutches her newborn baby, it’s simply not knowing where to go. The lights are out, the water is cut, and the sound of gunfire grows louder. For thousands in Goma, there’s nowhere left to hide.