Ethiopia evacuates thousands after series of earthquakes from volcanic activity
Ethiopia has relocated more than 20,000 people to safer areas following a series of earthquakes in the Afar and Oromia regions.
Authorities say over 51,000 residents remain at risk due to the increased seismic activity over the past two months.
The Ethiopian Disaster Risk Management Commission said on January 4, that 13,000 people from the Afar and Oromia regions have already been moved. In the Fentale district of Oromia, where over 16,000 residents are at risk, 7,000 people have been relocated.
“These earthquakes are increasing in both size and frequency,” the government said in a statement, adding that experts are working to assess the damage.
The earthquake on Saturday morning had a magnitude of 5.8 and was centred near Abomsa, less than 30 kilometres (19 miles) from Fentale district. Evacuations and relocation plans are ongoing to protect those at risk.
