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Ethiopians gather round an ambulance after an explosion in Addis Ababa Ethiopians gather round an ambulance after an explosion in Addis Ababa 

Explosion at rally in Ethiopia

Ethiopian officials say a grenade blast at a rally in Addis Ababa’s Meskel Square on Saturday has killed one person and injured 154 others.

By Nathan Morley

The Ethiopian Prime Minister has condemned a grenade blast that killed at least one person and injured at least 154 others at a rally in Addis Ababa.

The explosion struck a rally by supporters of Ethiopia's new Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.

He had just wrapped up delivering a speech, when the blast – thought to have been cause by a hand grenade – went off.

Over 80 people were injured, six are in critical condition.

'Not successful'


Speaking after the explosion, the Prime Minister said the atrocity was planned by groups who wanted to undermine the rally, but he did not say who they were.

He said the perpetrators would not break the spirit of the Ethiopian people.

“The people who did this are anti-peace forces. You need to stop doing this. You weren't successful in the past and you won't be successful in the future,” he said.

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23 June 2018, 16:02