Grenade Attack Caused Blast at Rally for Ethiopia PM Abiy Ahmed

in #news6 years ago

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An explosion has killed several people at a large rally by supporters of Ethiopia's new, reformist Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in the capital, Addis Ababa. In a televised address shortly after Saturday's blast, Abiy said "a few people" were killed in the what he called a "well-orchestrated attack", offering his condolences to families of the victims.

Fitsum Arega, the prime minister's chief of staff, said that unidentified assailants launched a grenade attack at the rally. "Some whose heart is filled with hate attempted a grenade attack. HE PM Abiy is safe. All the casualties are martyrs of love & peace. HE PM sends his condolences to the victims. The perpetrators will be brought to justice," Arega said.

Police said more than 100 people were wounded and 15 of them were admitted to hospital with serious injuries. Footage of the rally showed Abiy being rushed from the scene by security guards.