A thwarted attempt to hurl a grenade at PM Abiy Ahmed led to a deadly explosion Saturday at a massive rally in support of sweeping changes in Ethiopia.
Witnesses said a man tried to throw the grenade at the stage as Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed waved to the cheering crowd of tens of thousands shortly after he made a strong appeal for unity following months of anti-government protests.
Addressing the nation minutes after he was rushed to safety, Abiy called the blast a “well-orchestrated attack,” but one that failed. He did not lay blame and said police were investigating. At least one person was killed, and 155 people were hurt, nine critically, Health Minister Amir Aman said.
According to a rally organiser, Seyoum Teshome, “An individual tried to hurl the grenade toward a stage where the prime minister was sitting but was held back by the crowd.” Police officers nearby quickly restrained him, he said. “Then, we heard the explosion.”
Police later said six people had been arrested and were under investigation.
The attack was “cheap and unacceptable,” the prime minister said and added: “Love always wins. Killing others is a defeat. To those who tried to divide us, I want to tell you that you have not succeeded.”
The ruling party in a statement blamed “desperate anti-peace elements” and vowed to continue with the country’s reforms.
PM Abiy Ahmed has expressed his sincere condolences to all the victims of Saturday’s blast and has visited them at the hospital.
