Spain continues to engage with Ethiopian authorities, international organizations, and other diplomatic missions in the region to seek a coordinated and safe resolution. The overarching aim is to secure the swift release and safe exit of a group of Spanish tourists who became stranded in northern Ethiopia amid armed clashes. This effort reflects a structured, multi‑party approach to humanitarian access and orderly evacuation, guided by official channels and consistent with consular duties in crisis situations (Source: Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Addis Ababa embassy communications).
Reports indicate that the Spanish embassy in Addis Ababa maintains ongoing contact with its counterparts in the United States and with international partners. The travelers remain within a zone of heightened risk in the Amhara region, and authorities are coordinating to arrange a secure corridor for their exit. The emphasis is on ensuring safety while avoiding exposure to active hostilities, with regular updates provided to the travelers and their families through official channels (Source: embassy briefings and regional security updates).
Since Friday, August 4, the Amhara region has been under a state of emergency due to severe insecurity affecting multiple urban centers, including Lalibela, Gondar, Debre Tabor, Bahir Dar, and the Greater Amhara area. The emergency status underscores the need for travelers to avoid movement and remain in secure accommodations, following the guidance issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and local authorities. Authorities emphasize staying indoors, keeping away from demonstrations or clashes, and contacting the embassy if one finds themselves in the region (Source: regional government notices and foreign ministry advisories).
Air travel in the region has been disrupted, with key airports such as Lalibela, Gondar, and Desse operating at reduced capacity or remaining closed, and road networks frequently congested or blocked due to security operations. This situation complicates any potential evacuation plans and increases reliance on coordinated contingencies that involve security escorts, safe houses, and monitored transit routes (Source: regional transport authorities and security briefings).
The group of 18 Spanish tourists faced unsettling moments as gunfire between state security forces and militia elements interrupted daily routines and forced them to seek refuge in a local hostel. The incident highlights the volatility of the security environment and the necessity of careful risk assessment by travelers and their guiding firms when operating in conflict zones (Source: eyewitness accounts and local media coverage).
Militia activity in the Amhara region has been described as diverse, with various armed groups operating in the area and different levels of alignment with regional authorities and international forces. While some factions have shifted alliances over time, the current context is characterized by fragmented control and frequent clashes, which complicates efforts to restore stable conditions and protect civilians. The evolving security dynamics are a reminder of why travel advisories emphasize caution and adherence to official evacuation plans (Source: regional security analyses and NGO briefings).
One of the travelers told a television outlet that the area remains a crossfire zone between competing groups, with gunfire audible at intervals and streets barricaded by barricades and checkpoints. The report underscores the real-world dangers present in otherwise historically tourist-friendly corridors of Ethiopia, and the need for precise and timely information that can guide decisions about personal safety and possible relocation (Source: on‑the‑ground interviews and local press reporting).
Amhara is known for its rich cultural and natural attractions, including historic sites and landscapes that draw visitors from around the world. The zone currently presents significant risk, which has led tour operators and travel planners to reconsider itineraries and implement enhanced risk management measures, prioritizing the safety of travelers while seeking opportunities for responsible tourism to resume when conditions permit (Source: tourism sector analyses and travel industry statements).
Spanish travelers had been part of an organized route managed by Kananga, a Barcelona-based company that arranges overland itineraries across several African countries. Company representatives have stated that the group is supplied with adequate water and food and remains in acceptable condition, with ongoing, constant contact maintained with travelers, Spanish guides, and the Spanish embassy to monitor the situation. For security reasons, no further details about the group or its precise location are being disclosed at this time (Source: Kananga press briefings and consular notifications).
In line with standard practice during such crises, Kananga and the embassy emphasize that information about the group is being shared only through official channels and that incremental updates will be provided as soon as it is safe to do so. The emphasis remains on maintaining a continuous line of communication with travelers and their families while respecting security considerations that govern crisis reporting (Source: company statements and diplomatic communications).