Ethiopia is evacuating around 80,000 residents after a series of earthquakes rocked the Afar, Oromia, and Amhara regions. Since Friday, at least 10 tremors have been recorded, raising concerns about potential volcanic eruptions.
On Saturday morning, a 5.8 magnitude earthquake struck the Awash Fentale district in Oromia, about 56 kilometers southeast of Ambosa. A second tremor of 4.7 magnitude followed just hours later. These quakes were felt in several cities, including Addis Ababa, Adama, and Metehara, with residents reporting strong shaking, especially in high-rise buildings.
The tremors have sparked fears of volcanic activity in the region, particularly after smoke emerged from the Dofen volcano in Afar, heightening concerns about further eruptions. In response, the government is closely monitoring the situation and working with experts to assess the damage and the potential for more seismic activity.
Authorities have already evacuated residents from 12 vulnerable districts, or kebeles, in the affected areas. Over 51,000 people in Afar and Oromia regions are considered at risk due to the ongoing earthquakes, with more than 13,000 people already relocated to safer locations.
The quakes have caused damage to homes in the Afar region, although no casualties have been reported so far. Despite this, experts warn that the frequent tremors could lead to more severe consequences, especially in Addis Ababa, where many buildings are not built to withstand strong earthquakes.
Government engineers have begun assessing the safety of public buildings, with plans to reinforce structures to better withstand future tremors.
