Evacuations are underway in Abomsa, central Ethiopia, following a 5.8 magnitude earthquake that struck the region on Saturday.
A disaster prevention and mitigation team has been deployed to 12 districts near the epicenter, which is home to approximately 80,000 residents.
While no fatalities have been reported, the authorities are taking precautionary measures.
The earthquake follows a series of tremors that have been occurring in recent weeks in central and northeastern Ethiopia, including the Awash Fentale region.
This seismic activity has been further compounded by a volcanic eruption at Mount Dofan, located in a region known for its frequent earthquakes.
The 5.8 magnitude earthquake, which was felt as far as the capital Addis Ababa, has caused significant concern among residents.
Panic spread across the city as people experienced the tremors around 4:00 a.m. local time.
In recent weeks, more than a dozen minor earthquakes have been recorded in the Awash Fentale area, with the magnitude gradually increasing.
This pattern of escalating seismic activity has heightened concerns about the potential for more significant earthquakes in the region.
