afrol News, 23 August - A volcanic eruption in the north-eastern Ethiopia has claimed the lives of five people, displaced over 2,000 and destroyed over 1,000 livestock [mainly camels and goats], the state disaster prevention and security officials confirmed.

The three-day volcanic eruption in the district of Terru in the north-eastern region of Afar closed to the Eritrean and Djibouti borders, spewed lava about 300 meters in the air, opening 10 km long crack in the ground.

Although residents of Dayulu and Gomoyta had almost been trapped to death by the lava, they were advised to vacate their homes.

The Vice-President of Afar region, Mohammed Tahir, said it was difficult to estimate the number of people in the area when eruption occurred. He said investigations are still going on.
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The head of Afar disaster prevention agency, Hassan Mohammed, said the volcano has dried and polluted local rivers thus displacing over 2,000 people alongside their cattle.

The south of Mount Arteale - believed to be Ethiopia’s only active volcanic area - was the scene of the latest eruption.

Two years back, a similar eruption occurred in Mount Arteale area, displacing thousands of people and killed hundreds of livestock.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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