Volcano Alert in Ethiopia: Awash Fentale on the Brink

A volcano in northeastern Ethiopia is showing signs of a potential eruption, leading authorities to evacuate residents to temporary shelters. The Ethiopian Geological Institute and Fana Broadcasting have reported smoke and dust from the Awash Fentale volcano, prompting cautious but organized evacuations.

A volcano in northeastern Ethiopia exhibited signs of an impending eruption on Friday, prompting local authorities to relocate residents to temporary shelters, according to reports from a state-affiliated broadcaster and a government geological office.

The Ethiopian Geological Institute shared a video on Facebook, showing smoke and dust arising from a volcano in the Awash Fentale area of the Afar region. Correspondingly, Fana Broadcasting, relaying information from a regional administrator, confirmed that authorities began evacuating residents from the affected vicinity, approximately 165 kilometers from Addis Ababa.

Shiferaw Teklemariam, Commissioner of the Ethiopian Disaster Risk Management Commission, stated that while it is premature to call this activity a full-fledged eruption, necessary precautions are underway. "Residents are progressively leaving these areas, and we are organizing an orderly evacuation," he conveyed to Reuters. The area has been susceptible to earthquakes and tremors in recent months, heightening concerns.

(With inputs from agencies.)