The Government Communication Service has announced that the government is evacuating residents from areas near the epicenter of recent earthquake swarms in Afar, Oromia, and Amhara regions. These earthquake events have been increasing in frequency and intensity, with a recent quake registering 5.8 on the Richter scale.
The government is closely monitoring the situation with experts and has deployed emergency personnel to 12 kebeles (the smallest administrative divisions in Ethiopia) at the epicenter to assess the damage. They are prioritizing the evacuation of approximately 80,000 citizens from these areas. The government is also monitoring the potential impact on social services, economic institutions, and infrastructure.
While there has been no significant impact on major cities so far, the government urges citizens to heed and strictly follow the safety advice given by experts. The government will continue to closely monitor the situation and disseminate necessary information through relevant institutions.