Ethiopia attack toll rises to two

The death toll from a grenade attack at a pro-government rally in Ethiopia’s capital climbed to two yesterday, a cabinet minister said, as police announced arrests over the blast.

The blast occurred in a packed public square as Ethiopia’s new prime minister, Abiy Ahmed, was wrapping up a speech before tens of thousands of people.

The ensuing chaos injured more than 150 people and marred an event meant to build public support for Abiy’s ambitious reform agenda.

The state-run Ethiopian News Agency reported that police had arrested six people suspected of involvement in the blast, but gave few details.

Event organiser Seyoum Teshome said police had grappled with someone attempting to hurl a grenade at the prime minister as he concluded his speech.

The explosive detonated amid the scuffle, though most of the injuries had been caused in the ensuing panic, he said.

The prime minister visited hospitals where victims were being treated, his chief of staff said on Twitter, and yesterday one of Addis Ababa’s largest football teams organised a blood drive for the injured.

No group has publicly claimed responsibility for the attack, a rare instance of violence in the heavily policed capital.

Abiy took office in April after years of anti-government unrest and has announced plans to liberalise the economy and reconcile with neighbouring arch-enemy Eritrea.