Volcano erupts in remote Ethiopia, 2 missing

August 16, 2007 (ADDIS ABABA) — A volcano erupted in the remote desert of northern Ethiopia, and two people were missing, the state-run news agency said.

The volcano spewed lava for about two hours Sunday in the Afar region, a spectacular yet barren expanse of volcanoes and ancient salt mines where bandits and rebels operate.

The area is inhabited mostly by nomads.

The eruption was reported to government officials via telegram and they sent a team to investigate, the Ethiopian News Agency reported Wednesday.

The area is one of the hottest and most inhospitable in the world, with an average annual temperature of 95 F (35 C), although it often gets much hotter.

(AP)