The Ethiopian Geological Institute has strongly denied recent claims by some media sources, including Egypt Independent, about the alleged risk of an earthquake near the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). The institute declared that such reports are entirely untrue.
Ijara Tesfaye, the Director General of the Ethiopian Geological Institute, clarified that a recent minor earthquake near Fental, approximately 150 kilometers from Addis Ababa, registered just 4.9 on the Richter scale. However, some outlets have exaggerated this incident, creating unfounded fears about potential risks to the GERD. Tesfaye firmly rejected these assertions, describing them as baseless fabrications aimed at misleading the public.
He further emphasized that there is no geological evidence indicating that seismic activities in the Rift Valley could impact regions outside of it. He reassured the public that GERD is situated far from the Rift Valley, and a thorough study was conducted during its construction to assess any potential risks from earthquakes or other geological hazards.
According to Tesfaye, the comprehensive evaluation concluded that the dam is in a secure location, unaffected by seismic activity. Although there have been tremors in Ethiopia, particularly in the Rift Valley, none have been recorded near the GERD.
He also criticized certain media outlets, including Egypt Independent, for spreading misinformation about the safety of the dam, stressing that these reports are misleading and unsupported by scientific evidence. Tesfaye reiterated that the dam’s geological assessment was rigorous and that the ongoing circulation of earthquake-related claims lacks credibility.