Recent seismic activity in Awash Fentale and Dulecha districts of Ethiopia’s Afar region has left over 30 homes destroyed, forcing residents to seek refuge in safer areas. The earthquakes have also severely damaged schools, mosques, and vital infrastructure, disrupting daily life.
In Segento Kebele, one of the hardest-hit areas, many homes have completely collapsed. Fleeing residents described cracks in asphalt roads and water surging from beneath the ground. The nearby Kessem Dam has become a source of concern, with rumors of potential structural failure sparking mass evacuations.
Communities have been relocating to nearby towns like Awash Seba, often with minimal belongings. Some residents have taken vehicles, while others are traveling on foot or using camels to carry their possessions. Schools such as Ungaytu in Sabure Kebele have been rendered unsafe, halting education for hundreds of children.
Experts attribute the frequent earthquakes to the East African Rift System, which causes regular seismic activity in the region. While the tremors, including a recent 5.0-magnitude quake, have been classified as moderate, they have led to significant disruption.
Local officials are collaborating with federal disaster prevention bodies and NGOs to provide support and relocate affected families. Technical teams are working to raise awareness and assist vulnerable groups.
Despite assurances from geologists that severe damage is unlikely, the ongoing seismic activity has left many in the region deeply unsettled as efforts to address the crisis continue.