The Ethiopian government has launched an evacuation effort for approximately 80,000 people. This is following a series of earthquakes that struck the Afar, Oromia, and Amhara regions. The tremors, which began Friday, have sparked concerns of volcanic activity, particularly near the Dofen Mountain in the Awash Fentale district.
The United States Geological Survey recorded the strongest quake, a 5.8 magnitude, early Saturday. It was centered 56 kilometers (35 miles) southeast of Abomsa in Oromia. Shortly after, a second quake measuring 4.7 magnitudes hit 10 kilometres (6 miles) east of Awash in Afar. These events have left residents in the affected regions sleeping outdoors, fearing more shocks and potential eruptions.
In the Afar region, the tremors created a widening natural hot spring crater. This fueled fears of volcanic eruptions after smoke was seen emerging from vents on the Dofen volcano.
Government officials have deployed emergency workers to assess the damage and evacuate residents from 12 kebeles (districts) in the affected areas.
The Ethiopian Disaster Risk Management Commission confirmed that over 13,000 people have already been relocated, with plans to move thousands more. While no casualties have been reported, the quakes damaged dozens of homes, particularly in Afar, and disrupted social and economic institutions.
Residents in cities like Addis Ababa, Adama, and Metehara also felt the tremors. Experts have raised alarms about the vulnerability of Ethiopia’s infrastructure to seismic activity. Government engineers are now planning to reinforce key public structures while urging citizens to follow safety protocols.
The Fentale district has experienced over two dozen earthquakes and aftershocks since September 2024, according to local reports. The recent surge in seismic activity has heightened fears of more significant events.
As government task forces monitor the situation closely, authorities are working to prepare a comprehensive report on the potential risks and mitigation strategies. Engineer Mesfin Negewo, director of the Ethiopian Construction Authority, assured that efforts are underway to assess and address the challenges posed by the growing seismic activity.
