Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – Hundreds of villagers in Ethiopia’s Afar region, about 165km (100 miles) northeast of the capital, have fled their homes amid escalating volcanic activity from Mount Dofan, local authorities report.
The volcanic unrest began on Thursday around 17:00 local time (14:00 GMT), with fiery smoke and debris shooting high into the air, according to Sultan Kemil, a local chief who spoke to the BBC’s Afaan Oromoo service.
A video shared by the Ethiopian Geological Institute shows steam and debris erupting from the mountain, fueling fears of a potential eruption. 
In recent weeks, the region around Awash Fentale, known for its seismic activity, has recorded over a dozen earthquakes. Abdu Ali, the chief administrator for the Afar area, told Ethiopia’s FBC news site that evacuation efforts are underway to safeguard residents, noting that the tremors have been intensifying.
Even the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, has felt the tremors, underscoring the widespread impact of the geological events.
Shiferaw Teklemariam from the Ethiopian Disaster Risk Management Commission told Reuters it is too early to confirm if the activity signals a volcanic eruption. However, authorities are taking precautionary measures to mitigate potential harm.
The situation remains tense as residents and officials monitor the evolving geological developments in one of Ethiopia’s most seismically active regions.
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