A 4.9-magnitude earthquake in Addis Ababa and surrounding areas struck on Sunday morning, 26 October 2025, causing widespread alarm but no immediate reports of casualties or serious damage.
The quake occurred at 08:24 local time (07:24 SAST), with the epicentre located about 39 kilometres east of Debre Birhan, in the Amhara region.
According to Volcano Discovery, the earthquake originated at a depth of roughly 10 kilometres and was felt across several towns, including Debre Birhan, Metehara, and the capital, Addis Ababa.
Witnesses described weak to light shaking that lasted between five and fifteen seconds. Residents in Addis Ababa reported seeing household items and hanging objects sway, while others said buildings vibrated briefly.
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) classified the quake as moderate, noting that its strength was sufficient to be widely felt but unlikely to cause severe damage to well-built structures.
The tremor followed a series of smaller quakes recorded across Ethiopia over the past year, part of an ongoing seismic pattern in the East African Rift — a vast geological fault system that stretches from Ethiopia to Mozambique.
Ethiopian authorities said no major infrastructure had been affected but confirmed that safety assessments were underway in Amhara and the outskirts of Addis Ababa.
The Ethiopian Geological Institute (EGI) said teams were dispatched to evaluate ground stability and inspect older buildings.
“Initial data suggests the shaking was moderate but noticeable across much of central Ethiopia,” an EGI spokesperson said.
Residents took to social media to share experiences of the tremor. One person in Addis Ababa’s Sarbet area described feeling the floor sway while sitting on a fourth-floor apartment, while another in Legetafo said hanging frames and plants began moving from side to side.
Reports collected by Volcano Discovery showed weak shaking in neighbourhoods such as Mekanisa, Ayat, and Jemo, with no significant damage reported.
The 4.9-magnitude event is part of a broader sequence of seismic activity that has affected central Ethiopia since late 2024.
Data from the Ethiopian Earthquake Monitoring Centre indicates that more than 300 tremors above magnitude 4.0 were recorded between September 2024 and March 2025, mainly in the Awash Fentale and Dulecha areas.
The government previously established a task force to assess earthquake risks in Addis Ababa after a series of tremors in early 2025 prompted temporary evacuations.
Experts attribute the rise in seismic activity to tectonic movements along the East African Rift. The rift is slowly splitting the African continent into two parts, causing occasional earthquakes as the earth’s crust shifts.
While most of these quakes are moderate, scientists have warned that the region remains vulnerable to stronger tremors.
The Ethiopian Geological Institute has urged residents to remain calm but alert, advising those living in multi-story buildings to identify safe exit routes and avoid heavy objects that could fall during future tremors.
