Ethiopia hit by devastating earthquakes, thousands evacuated

Ethiopia experienced multiple earthquakes on Saturday, including a 5.8-magnitude tremor, triggering widespread alarm and evacuations in the country’s northern remote regions.

The quakes affected rural areas in Afar, Oromia, and Amhara, following months of increased seismic activity, according to AFP.

The Ethiopian Government Communication Service reported that approximately 2,000 people have already been displaced, and efforts are underway to provide temporary shelter for the most vulnerable among the 80,000 residents in the affected regions.

In a statement, the government warned of a rise in both the frequency and intensity of the tremors. “The occurrences of the earthquakes are increasing in terms of magnitude and recurrences,” the statement said, adding that experts have been dispatched to assess the damage.

The latest quake, a 4.7-magnitude tremor, struck near Metehara in Oromia shortly before noon local time.

The seismic activity has also raised concerns about a possible volcanic eruption at Mount Dofan in the Afar region, which had been dormant. Although the volcano is no longer emitting smoke, local residents have evacuated in panic.

Ethiopia’s location along the Great Rift Valley, one of the world’s most tectonically active zones, makes it particularly vulnerable to earthquakes. Geologists attribute the current seismic activity to the movement of tectonic plates beneath the region.

While no casualties have been reported so far, authorities are closely monitoring the situation to mitigate further risks.