A 5.8 magnitude earthquake hit central Ethiopia, prompting evacuations in Abomsa. A disaster team is active in 12 districts with approximately 80,000 residents, but no fatalities have been reported. Increased seismic activity has been noted, adding to public anxiety, especially in Addis Ababa, where tremors were felt, further fueled by a volcanic eruption nearby.
Evacuations commenced in Abomsa, located in central Ethiopia, following a significant earthquake measuring 5.8 on the Richter scale, as announced by the nation’s Communications Office on Saturday. A dedicated disaster prevention and mitigation team has been deployed to 12 districts in proximity to the epicenter, an area whose residents number approximately 80,000. Fortunately, officials have reported no fatalities tied to the earthquake, indicating successful precautionary measures so far.
In recent weeks, Ethiopia’s central and northeastern regions, including Awash Fentale, have experienced a series of minor seismic activities, culminating in the strongest tremor last night. This situation has been exacerbated by a volcanic eruption at Mount Dofan, situated in a geologically active region. Additionally, the tremors from Awash Fentale have been perceptible as far as the capital city, Addis Ababa, which has triggered significant public concern regarding an impending disaster.
As panic spread across Addis Ababa, residents reported feeling the earthquake around 4:00 AM local time, prompting extensive discourse on social media platforms. The past weeks have seen over a dozen minor earthquakes in the Awash Fentale area, raising alarms about the increasing frequency and intensity of tremors. The escalation from tremors measuring 4.0 to figures nearing 6.0, particularly with five distinct tremors documented within that timeframe, suggests a worrying trend in seismic activity within the region.
The recent earthquake in Ethiopia is part of an increasing frequency of seismic events affecting the country, particularly in its central and northeastern regions. With a history of volcanic activity, the proximity of Mount Dofan has further complicated the landscape of natural disasters, as volcanic eruptions often correlate with seismic incidents. The community within a 230-kilometer radius of Addis Ababa is experiencing heightened anxiety due to these occurrences, which may result in significant humanitarian implications if severe conditions persist.
In summary, Ethiopia is currently grappling with significant seismic threats following a 5.8 magnitude earthquake in central regions, prompting evacuations and heightened emergency preparedness measures. As tremors become more frequent and intense, community safety and disaster response capabilities are being tested. The situation remains dynamic, and authorities are closely monitoring developments to ensure the safety of residents in affected areas.
Original Source: www.yenisafak.com
