Authorities in Ethiopia have evacuated residents near a volcano in the northeastern Afar region after it began showing signs of a potential eruption. The Ethiopian Geological Institute shared a video on its Facebook page on Friday, showing what appeared to be dust and smoke emanating from the volcano, located in Awash Fentale.
Fana Broadcasting, a state-affiliated broadcaster, reported that residents were being moved to temporary shelters.
This follows a recent increase in seismic activity in the area, with more than a dozen minor earthquakes recorded in Awash Fentale and surrounding regions in recent weeks.
Shiferaw Teklemariam, Commissioner of the Ethiopian Disaster Risk Management Commission, stated that while it was too early to definitively call the activity an eruption, authorities were taking preventative measures.
“The community; some are already leaving those areas. We are also preparing to do it in a well organised manner. It (moving the community) will be done based on predictions,” Mr Teklemariam told Reuters.
The affected area by the Volcano is approximately 165 kilometres (102 miles) from the capital, Addis Ababa.
Regional Administrator Abdu Ali told the Fana Broadcasting Corporation that efforts are underway to prevent casualties by relocating residents to safer areas.
He added that the tremors are continuing and becoming more powerful, with the most recent being felt in Addis Ababa overnight.
The area has experienced multiple earthquakes and tremors in recent months, adding to concerns about the possible impact of volcanic activity.
