Nigeria’s government has warned travellers with underlying health conditions to take precautions when transiting through Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa, following the deaths of 16 citizens this year.
In a travel advisory issued on Friday, Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the fatalities were linked to medical complications triggered by the city’s high-altitude environment.
Addis Ababa sits roughly 2,355m (7,726ft) above sea level, making it one of the highest-altitude capitals in the world. At that elevation, lower atmospheric pressure reduces the amount of oxygen available in the air. Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa is a major continental aviation hub and one of the busiest transit points for passengers flying across Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East via Ethiopian Airlines. While most healthy passengers adapt to the thinner air without issue during stopovers, Nigerian officials warned that those with pre-existing cardiovascular or respiratory illnesses face heightened risks.”Nigerians with pre-existing health conditions that can be exacerbated by high altitudes are strongly advised to exercise caution when planning journeys that involve transit through Addis Ababa,” ministry spokesperson Oluwafemi Adeniyi said in the statement. Travellers with underlying medical issues have been urged to consult a doctor before flying through the city.
However, Abuja stressed that the guidance does not amount to a travel ban or an attempt to discourage citizens from visiting Ethiopia or using its airspace. Instead, officials said the notice is meant to ensure medically vulnerable passengers are aware of the physiological risks and can prepare accordingly.
High-altitude environments can put extra strain on the heart and lungs, occasionally triggering acute mountain sickness or worsening chronic heart and lung conditions—even during relatively short layovers.
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