Ethiopian Volcano Erupts After 10,000 Years, Disrupting Flights

Ethiopia's Hayli Gubbi volcano, dormant for roughly 10,000 years, erupted explosively on Sunday morning in the Afar region of northern Ethiopia, blanketing nearby villages in ash and triggering widespread flight disruptions across the Middle East and South Asia.

The eruption occurred around 8:30 a.m. UTC in the Afdera district, about 800 kilometers northeast of the capital, Addis Ababa. Explosive activity propelled ash plumes as high as 45,000 feet, according to the Toulouse Volcanic Ash Advisory Center. The event sent dark brownish ash and volcanic blocks scattering up to 50 meters from the crater, covering a wide radius around villages such as Fia and Nemma-Gubi. By Tuesday, the volcanic activity had subsided, with no further explosive phases reported.

Local residents described the initial blast as sounding like a bomb, louder than anything they had experienced. Ashfall forced some to flee their homes amid breathing difficulties and persistent coughing. Officials dispatched two medical teams from the broader Afar region to provide mobile services in the affected areas. Health official Abedella Mussa noted the respiratory issues among residents and the challenges in reaching...