A massive volcanic eruption in northern Ethiopia sent shockwaves across the region on Sunday morning, blasting a towering column of ash into the sky and burying an entire village under a thick gray blanket. The long-dormant Hayli Gubbi volcano—located in the remote Afar region—came roaring back to life with an explosion so loud that residents compared it to a bomb detonating beneath their feet.
A Dormant Giant Awakens
According to AP, the Hayli Gubbi eruption caused no immediate casualties, but the impact on the surrounding area has been severe. The village of Afdera, situated near the Danakil Desert, was coated entirely in volcanic ash. For a community that relies on livestock and fragile desert pastures, the fallout could be devastating.
Local resident Ahmed Abdela described the terrifying moment the explosion struck:
“It sounded like a bomb went off. Then the ground shook, and the sky filled with smoke and ash,” he told AP.
Authorities say there are no historical records of the volcano ever erupting before, making Sunday’s blast both shocking and scientifically significant.
Ash Cloud Drifting Across the Red Sea
Satellite observations confirm that the ash plume is now drifting across the Red Sea toward Yemen and Oman, raising concerns about air quality, aviation safety, and potential respiratory risks. Meteorologists warn the cloud could continue its path for days, depending on wind patterns.
Meanwhile, several tourists and their guides have become stranded in the desert region after ash blocked key travel routes. The Danakil area, known for its surreal volcanic landscapes and extreme heat, is one of Ethiopia’s most visited adventure destinations.
Fear for Livestock and Survival
While human casualties have been avoided, the residents of Afdera fear their survival is now tied to the health of their livestock. Pastures covered in ash can kill grazing animals within days.
“If the animals die, we lose everything,” Abdela said, noting that families are now scrambling to find uncontaminated grazing land.
A Region on Edge
Ethiopian authorities have deployed emergency teams to assess the damage and monitor ongoing seismic activity. Scientists warn that more eruptions or aftershocks cannot be ruled out.
For now, villagers wait anxiously, tourists remain stranded, and the ash cloud continues its journey across international borders—an eerie reminder that even Earth’s quietest places can erupt without warning.