The Latest: Police say 6 arrested after Ethiopia blast

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AP) — The Latest on rally for Ethiopia's reformist new prime minister (all times local):

Police in Ethiopia say six people have been arrested and are under investigation after a deadly explosion at a huge rally for the new prime minister.

At least one person died after a thwarted attempt to throw a grenade at Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed led to an explosion in the crowd.

The health minister says 155 people were injured, including nine in critical condition.

The prime minister's chief of staff says on Twitter that Abiy later visited some of the victims in hospital "and offered his heartfelt encouragement."

Tens of thousands of people had gathered in an enthusiastic show of support for a wave of reforms since Abiy took office in April.

Ethiopia's health minister says one person has died after an explosion at a huge rally for the country's new prime minister.

Health Minister Amir Aman confirms to The Associated Press that the person died in a hospital after the attack. It is the first confirmed death; Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in an address to the nation shortly after the blast said "a few people" had died, but police later reported no deaths.

Reports of the number of people injured vary. Police have said more than 100, while Abiy's chief of staff cites reports from police and hospitals in saying 83 people were hurt, with six in critical condition.

Tens of thousands of people had gathered in Addis Ababa's Meskel Square in an enthusiastic show of support for a wave of reforms since Abiy took office in April.

A witness near the scene of a deadly blast at a huge rally for Ethiopia's new prime minister says the man who tried to throw the grenade was wearing a police uniform.

Abraham Tilahun tells The Associated Press that other police officers restrained the man from throwing the grenade as Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed was waving to the crowd of tens of thousands.

"Then we heard the explosion," Abraham says. "I'm sure those who died there were also policemen who tried to prevent the attacker."

The prime minister in an address to the country shortly after being hurried to safety said "a few people" had been killed and others injured.

An organizer of the huge rally for Ethiopia's prime minister where a deadly explosion occurred says someone in the crowd had tried to throw a grenade at the stage.

"The prime minster was the target," Seyoum Teshome tells The Associated Press. "An individual tried to hurl the grenade toward a stage where the prime minister was sitting but was held back by the crowd."

Seyoum says three suspects, two men and a woman, were immediately arrested.

Minutes after being swept to safety, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed told the nation that "a few people" had been killed and others injured. He called the blast a "well-orchestrated attack" that failed.

The blast occurred shortly after Abiy addressed the tens of thousands of people who had gathered in support of the sweeping reforms since he took office in April.

Ethiopia's reformist new prime minister is calling the deadly explosion that disrupted a huge rally of supporters a "well-orchestrated attack" but one that failed.

A grim-faced Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in an address to the nation shortly after the blast says "a few people" were killed and others injured. The attack occurred as he was waving to the crowd of tens of thousands.

Abiy has not blamed anyone for the blast that he calls "cheap and unacceptable." Police are investigating.

The prime minister adds: "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."

Ethiopians heartened by a wave of reforms under Abiy had packed Meskel Square in a show of support with numbers unseen in recent years in the East African nation.

Ethiopia's reformist new prime minister says "a few people have lost their lives" and others have been injured in the explosion that went off shortly after he spoke to a huge rally of supporters in the capital, Addis Ababa.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed is addressing the nation as police investigate the blast that occurred just after he finished speaking and was waving to the crowd of tens of thousands.

An Associated Press reporter has seen more than a dozen injured people.

Ethiopians heartened by a wave of reforms under Abiy had packed Meskel Square in a show of support with numbers unseen in recent years in the East African nation.

The rally has now broken up with people singing, chanting and going back to their homes.

Ethiopia's reformist new prime minister is expected to address the nation shortly after an explosion disrupted a huge rally where he had been addressing supporters.

An Associated Press reporter has seen more than a dozen injured people. Footage showed Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed being rushed from the scene by security guards.

One organizer of the rally, Seyoum Teshome, says on Facebook that "Prime Minister Abiy and other guests who came in attendance are all fine."

The blast occurred just after Abiy finished his address and was waving to the crowd of tens of thousands in a packed square in the capital, Addis Ababa.

The state broadcaster quickly cut away from coverage of the rally, which has broken up with people singing, chanting and going back to their homes.

An explosion has disrupted a large rally by supporters of Ethiopia's new, reformist prime minister, with the state broadcaster reporting that a few people have been injured.

Ambulances are at the scene in packed Meskel Square in the capital, Addis Ababa, where Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has been addressing thousands of supporters.

The explosion occurred shortly after Abiy finished speaking and was waving to the crowd.

The 42-year-old Abiy took office in April and quickly surprised Africa's second most populous country by announcing a wave of political and economic reforms.

Ethiopians heartened by a wave of reforms under a new prime minister have packed a square in the capital in a show of support with numbers unseen in recent years in the East African nation.

In a cowboy hat and T-shirt, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed is addressing the crowd in Addis Ababa's Meskel Square as supporters wear clothes displaying his image and carry signs saying "One Love, One Ethiopia."

The 42-year-old Abiy took office in April and quickly surprised Africa's second most populous country by announcing the release of tens of thousands of prisoners, the opening of state-owned companies to private investment and the unconditional embrace of a peace deal with rival Eritrea.

The United States is among those expressing support for the changes in a key security ally.</s>Explosion at rally for Ethiopia's new prime minister; state broadcaster reports 'few' injured

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AP) — Explosion at rally for Ethiopia's new prime minister; state broadcaster reports 'few' injured.</s>Explosion at rally for Ethiopia's new prime minister; state broadcaster reports 'few' injured

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AP) — Explosion at rally for Ethiopia's new prime minister; state broadcaster reports 'few' injured.</s>ADDIS ABABA (Reuters) - Thirty people have now been arrested, up from six from the day before, over alleged involvement in a grenade attack at a rally in the Ethiopian capital that killed two people and left more than 150 people wounded, police said on Sunday.

“The number of suspects in custody for involvement in the attack in Meskel Square has now reached 30,” Zeinu Jemal, head of the Federal Police Commission, told state-owned Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation. Zeinu did not give further details.</s>Athwarted attempt to hurl a grenade at Ethiopia’s reformist new prime minister led to a deadly explosion Saturday at a massive rally in support of sweeping changes in Africa’s second most populous country. Nine police officials were arrested, state media reported.

Police in Ethiopia say six people have been arrested and are under investigation after a deadly explosion at a huge rally for the new prime minister.

At least one person died after a thwarted attempt to throw a grenade at Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed led to an explosion in the crowd.

6 people have been arrested and are under investigation after a deadly explosion at a huge rally.

The health minister says 155 people were injured, including nine in critical condition.

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.

“The prime minister was the target,” a rally organizer, Seyoum Teshome, told The Associated Press. “An individual tried to hurl the grenade toward a stage where the prime minister was sitting but was held back by the crowd.”

The man with the grenade was wearing a police uniform, witness Abraham Tilahun told the AP. Police officers nearby quickly restrained him, he said. “Then we heard the explosion.”

Nine police officials were arrested, including the deputy head of the capital’s police commission, state broadcaster ETV reported.

AP video from the scene showed bloodstained ground and abandoned shoes while people chanting the prime minister’s name fled, some clutching their heads in shock and despair.

“I’ve never thought this day will come in Ethiopia. I’m very emotional right now”

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. The explosion in packed Meskel Square in Addis Ababa followed weeks of dramatic changes that shocked many in the East African nation after years of anti-government tensions, states of emergency, thousands of arrests and long internet shutdowns.

The 42-year-old Abiy took office in April and quickly announced the release of tens of thousands of prisoners, the opening of state-owned companies to private investment and the unconditional embrace of a peace deal with rival Eritrea. Websites were unblocked and opposition figures were invited to dinner. Ethiopians said they could hardly keep up with the pace of change.

Saturday’s rally began as a show of exuberance, with supporters wearing clothes displaying Abiy’s image and carrying signs saying “One Love, One Ethiopia.”

Informal in a neon green T-shirt, Abiy told the tens of thousands of supporters that change was coming and there was no turning back.

“For the past 100 years hate has done a great deal of damage to us,” he said, stressing the need for even more reforms.

After the explosion the state broadcaster quickly cut away from coverage of the rally, which broke up with people singing, chanting and going back to their homes.

“I’ve never thought this day will come in Ethiopia. I’m very emotional right now,” said supporter Mulugeta Sema, who wore a T-shirt with the new leader’s image and spoke before the blast.</s>2nd person dies after blast at Ethiopia rally, minister says

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AP) — Ethiopia's health minister says a second person has died after Saturday's explosion at a massive rally in the capital for the new prime minister.

Health Minister Amir Aman says on Twitter that the person died at a local hospital in intensive care.

More than 150 people were injured in the blast, several of them critically.

State broadcaster ETV reports that nine police officials have been arrested, including the deputy head of Addis Ababa's police commission.

Witnesses say a man in the crowd tried to throw a grenade at Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed but was restrained by people around him.

Tens of thousands had gathered to cheer a wave of reforms under the young leader, who took office in April.

The ruling party has blamed "desperate anti-peace elements" for the attack.</s>A second person has died after a deadly grenade attack in Ethiopia’s capital on Saturday which injured more than 150 people at rally attended by new prime minister Abiy Ahmed.

On Sunday, police were at the scene of the attack gathering evidence, officials told Reuters.

Nine police officials, including the deputy head of the capital Addis Ababa’s police commission, have been arrested for what authorities said were security lapses.

Six other suspects are being held over links to the attack that occurred in a square where tens of thousands of supporters had gathered, although security officials have not said publicly who might be responsible.

Health Minister Amir Aman said on Twitter that as of 11 am on Sunday, two people had been killed and 156 wounded, with five of them in critical condition.

“I’m so sorry to learn that we have lost another Ethiopian victim of yesterday’s attack who was in ICU at Black Lion Hospital,” he said.

The attack took place moments after Abiy had finished his speech in Meskel Square in the center of Addis Ababa.</s>ADDIS ABABA (Reuters) - Thirty people have now been arrested over alleged involvement in a grenade attack that killed two people at a rally in the Ethiopian capital attended by new prime minister Abiy Ahmed, police said on Sunday.

More than 150 were wounded in Saturday's attack, which took place moments after Abiy had finished a speech in Meskel Square in the centre of Addis Ababa.

The rally, attended by tens of thousands, was in support of Abiy's push for radical political and economic reforms, including a peace deal with regional arch-enemy Eritrea.

Security officials have not said publicly who might be responsible for the attack.

Health Minister Amir Aman said on Twitter that as of 2.30pm local time on Sunday, two people had died and there were 156 wounded, with six in critical condition.

"I'm so sorry to learn that we have lost another Ethiopian victim of yesterday’s attack," he said.

Nine police officials, including the deputy head of Addis Ababa's police commission, have been arrested for what authorities said were security lapses.

"The number of suspects in custody for involvement in the attack in Meskel Square has now reached 30," Zeinu Jemal, head of the Federal Police Commission, told the state-owned Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation. Zeinu did not give further details.

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.</s>2nd person dies after blast at Ethiopia rally, minister says

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AP) — Ethiopia's health minister says a second person has died after Saturday's explosion at a massive rally in the capital for the new prime minister.

Health Minister Amir Aman says on Twitter that the person died at a local hospital in intensive care.

More than 150 people were injured in the blast, several of them critically.

State broadcaster ETV reports that nine police officials have been arrested, including the deputy head of Addis Ababa's police commission.

Witnesses say a man in the crowd tried to throw a grenade at Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed but was restrained by people around him.

Tens of thousands had gathered to cheer a wave of reforms under the young leader, who took office in April.

The ruling party has blamed "desperate anti-peace elements" for the attack.</s>UPDATE: Second Person Dies Following Saturday’s Grenade Attack at Ethiopia Rally

Ethiopians react after an explosion during a rally in support of the new Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia June 23, 2018. (Reuters Photo)

ADDIS ABABA – A second person has died after a deadly grenade attack in Ethiopia’s capital on Saturday which injured more than 150 people at rally attended by new prime minister Abiy Ahmed.

On Sunday, police were at the scene of the attack gathering evidence, officials told Reuters.

Nine police officials, including the deputy head of the capital Addis Ababa’s police commission, have been arrested for what authorities said were security lapses.

Six other suspects are being held over links to the attack that occurred in a square where tens of thousands of supporters had gathered, although security officials have not said publicly who might be responsible.

Health Minister Amir Aman said on Twitter that as of 11 am on Sunday, two people had been killed and 156 wounded, with five of them in critical condition.

“I’m so sorry to learn that we have lost another Ethiopian victim of yesterday’s attack who was in ICU at Black Lion Hospital,” he said.

The attack took place moments after Abiy had finished his speech in Meskel Square in the center of Addis Ababa.

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Two people are confirmed dead and 156 others injured after a grenade explosion at a rally in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, held by the Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.