At least 15 killed in Ethiopia festival stampede
Injured protesters
in Bishoftu
Reuters pic ADDIS ABABA: Several people were killed in a stampede near here yesterday after police fired tear gas at protesters during a religious festival, according to witnesses at the scene.
Thousands had gathered at a sacred lake in the town of Bishoftu to take part in the Irreecha ceremony, in which the Oromo community marks the end of the rainy season.
Some participants crossed their wrists above their heads, a gesture that has become a symbol of Oromo anti-government protests.
The event quickly degenerated, with protesters throwing stones and bottles, and security forces responding with baton charges and then tear gas grenades.
The tear gas caused panic and at least 50 people fell on top of each other into a ditch.
A photographer saw between 15 and 20 unmoving bodies, some of which were dead. Rubber bullets were strewn on the ground.
Every year, millions of people in the Oromo region mark the Irreecha festival on the shores of Lake Harsadi, which they consider sacred.
Ethiopia is facing its biggest antigovernment protests in a decade.
Together, Oromos and Amharas make up 60 per cent of the population, and have become increasingly vocal in rejecting what they see as the disproportionate power wielded by the northern Tigrean minority in government and the security forces. Agencies