At least 22 migrants were killed and 65 others injured when a truck overturned in Ethiopia’s northern Afar region, local authorities said on Tuesday. The accident occurred near Semera, several hundred kilometers west of neighboring Djibouti. According to officials, the victims had fallen prey to traffickers and were unaware of the dangers of the route. The injured were taken to Dubti Referral Hospital for full medical treatment, and the regional government expressed condolences to the victims’ families.

Ethiopia is one of the main transit routes for migrants from the Horn of Africa seeking work in Gulf countries. Thousands of migrants from Somalia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Djibouti travel this route, often moving from Djibouti to Yemen and then to Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states. However, the route used by traffickers to move Ethiopian migrants toward Djibouti is considered extremely dangerous.

According to the International Organization for Migration, 890 people died on this route between January and February 2025, making it one of the world’s most perilous migration paths.

The Hayli Gubbi volcano in Ethiopia’s Afar region erupted for the first time in about 12,000 years, sending a massive ash plume 14 kilometers high. The eruption, which lasted several hours, blanketed nearby Afdera town in ash and caused mild tremors around Erta Ale. The Smithsonian Institution confirmed no previous Holocene-era eruptions from this volcano. The ash cloud traveled across the Red Sea, reaching Yemen, Oman, India, northern Pakistan, and even parts of China’s upper atmosphere. Local authorities reported no casualties, though the eruption may affect the livelihoods of pastoral communities in the region. The Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC) and India Met Sky Weather noted temporary disruptions to flights over northern India, which have since normalized. Experts say the volcano lies within the tectonically active Rift Valley, where two plates meet, making it a hotspot for geological activity.

Ethiopia has confirmed its first outbreak of the deadly Marburg virus, with nine cases detected in the southern Omo region. The World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus commended Ethiopia’s rapid response, noting that authorities are working diligently to contain the outbreak. The virus, part of the same family as Ebola, causes severe hemorrhagic fever and has a high fatality rate. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) describes Marburg as a rare but deadly disease transmitted through contact with infected bodily fluids or contaminated materials. There is currently no specific treatment or vaccine, and care focuses on supportive therapy. The outbreak’s proximity to South Sudan has raised regional concerns due to weaker health systems nearby. WHO and Africa CDC are assisting Ethiopia with patient care, contact tracing, and border surveillance to prevent further spread. Health officials urge the public to remain calm and follow medical guidance.

A tragic accident struck Ethiopia’s Arerti town, 70 kilometers east of Addis Ababa, when temporary scaffolding collapsed during an annual Virgin Mary festival. At least 36 worshippers lost their lives and more than 200 were injured, many in critical condition. Authorities confirmed that some victims might still be trapped under debris, while rescue efforts continue. The collapse occurred around 7:45 a.m. as hundreds of devotees gathered at the church. Police and local officials fear the death toll could rise. Photos released by Ethiopian state broadcaster EBC showed piles of wooden beams scattered across the church compound. Some critically injured were transferred to hospitals in the capital. The government expressed condolences and emphasized prioritizing safety. Construction-related accidents remain common in Ethiopia due to lax enforcement of health and safety regulations, despite its deep-rooted Christian traditions.