Ethiopia Evacuates 80,000 Amid Earthquake Crisis and Volcanic Eruption Fears

Ethiopia is in the midst of a significant emergency response as the government announces the evacuation of approximately 80,000 residents in the Afar, Oromia, and Amhara regions following a series of small-scale earthquakes. The seismic activity has intensified over recent weeks, prompting fears of potential volcanic eruptions, particularly in the Dofen Mountain area, where notable tremors have been recorded. Since Friday, at least ten earthquakes have rattled parts of Ethiopia, with the most recent tremor striking the Awash Fentale district at 3:52 a.m. on Saturday, measured at a magnitude of 5.8 by the United States Geological Survey. This quake's epicenter was identified in the Dofen Mountain range, near Ambosa in the Oromia region. Shortly thereafter, a secondary tremor of 4.7 magnitude was reported in the same vicinity. The earthquakes have not only alarmed local residents but also caused noticeable damage to infrastructure, especially in the Afar region, where dozens of homes have been affected. Although there have been no reports of casualties, the shaking was felt as far away as the capital, Addis Ababa, and nearby cities like Adama and Metehara, causing many to evacuate their homes out of fear for safety. Local residents have begun to recount their experiences. Zumara Mamo, a mother from Abomsa, described being jolted awake by the tremors as she slept with her child. "The shock displaced the glass on my door," she recalled, describing the quake as the strongest she had experienced in recent memory. The Ethiopian Disaster Risk Management Commission reported that over 51,000 residents are currently at risk, with many already relocated to safer areas. More than 13,000 individuals have been moved from the most vulnerable locations, while efforts continue to monitor the situation closely. The government is actively engaged in managing the crisis, deploying emergency workers to assess the damage and identify at-risk populations. In light of the recent events, authorities are urging citizens to heed safety precautions, with a particular emphasis on the dangers posed by possible volcanic eruptions indicated by smoke emitting from vents in the Dofen volcano. Geological experts have expressed concern over the stability of buildings in Ethiopia, particularly in urban areas. Esayas Gebreyohannes, an associate professor at Addis Ababa University, highlighted significant weaknesses in compliance with building codes established decades ago. As seismic activity increases, the safety of structures in high-density areas like Addis Ababa comes into question, with many buildings reportedly failing to meet necessary standards. In response, the Ethiopian Construction Authority has announced plans to strengthen major public buildings to better withstand potential earthquakes. Director General Mesfin Negewo acknowledged the growing worries and emphasized that task forces are being established to closely monitor seismic activity and its implications for public safety. As Ethiopia grapples with this natural disaster, the government’s proactive measures aim to safeguard its citizens while maintaining vigilance in the face of ongoing geological threats. Community awareness and preparedness will be critical as the nation navigates this precarious situation.