Authorities in northeastern Ethiopia have initiated the evacuation of residents due to signs of a potential volcanic eruption.
A state-affiliated broadcaster and the Ethiopian Geological Institute reported that dust and smoke were observed emanating from the Awash Fentale volcano in the Afar region.
Fana Broadcasting indicated that the evacuation affected an area approximately 165 kilometers from Addis Ababa, as confirmed by a regional administrator.
Shiferaw Teklemariam, the Commissioner of the Ethiopian Disaster Risk Management Commission, noted that while it is premature to declare an eruption, precautionary measures are being implemented.
He emphasized that the evacuation will be conducted in an organized manner, guided by predictive assessments, as the region has also experienced increased seismic activity in recent months.