ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AP) – Thousands of civilians in a remote part of the northeast Ethiopia be evacuated due to potentially dangerous volcanic activity, officials said Friday.
The evacuations come after an eruption of steam was seen since Thursday from the long-lived Mount Dofen volcano, raising fears of a volcanic eruption that could put many people at risk.
Also, volcanic mud flowing from Dofen has caused major cracks in critical infrastructure, including major roads, and dozens of buildings have been severely damaged in the Afar region, according to the Afar Region Disaster Risk Management .
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The agency said Friday that the evacuees are being cautious. The residents are being taken to safer areas in the area.
However, Atalay Ayele, professor of geophysics at the Institute of Geophysics, Space Science and Astronomy, based at Addis Ababa University, said that a steam eruption may not lead to a full-blown volcanic eruption.
Afar is one of the driest and hottest regions in Ethiopia, with a history of volcanic eruptions and frequent earthquakes. The area is also prone to drought, famine and floods which have forced many to evacuate in recent years.
