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Oromia: Deadly stampede at Ethiopia festival Oromia: Deadly stampede at Ethiopia festival
(35 minutes later)
Many people are reported to have been killed in a stampede in Ethiopia's Oromia region after police fired tear gas and shots to disperse a protest. Many people are reported to have been killed and injured in Ethiopia's Oromia region after security forces fired tear gas and shots to disperse a protest.
Some died in a panicked stampede after troops opened fire, the reports said.
Thousands had gathered for a religious festival in Bishoftu, 40km (25 miles) from the capital Addis Ababa.Thousands had gathered for a religious festival in Bishoftu, 40km (25 miles) from the capital Addis Ababa.
Police responded after anti-government protesters threw stones and bottles, reports said. There was panic and some people fell into a ditch. Some reports said troops responded after anti-government protesters threw stones and bottles, while others said demonstrators were entirely peaceful.
Ethiopia's government said in a statement that "lives were lost", adding: "Those responsible will face justice".
An Oromo activist, Jawar Mohamed, is quoted as saying nearly 300 people were killed and many more injured. He said troops and a helicopter gunship had opened fire, driving people off a cliff and into a lake.
There has been no independent confirmation of this.
There have been months of deadly clashes in Ethiopia recently.There have been months of deadly clashes in Ethiopia recently.
People in the Oromia and Amhara regions have complained about political and economic marginalisation.People in the Oromia and Amhara regions have complained about political and economic marginalisation.
Crowds at Sunday's Oromo festival chanted "We need freedom" and "We need justice", witnesses said.Crowds at Sunday's Oromo festival chanted "We need freedom" and "We need justice", witnesses said.
Some participants crossed their wrists above their heads, a gesture that has become a symbol of Oromo protests.Some participants crossed their wrists above their heads, a gesture that has become a symbol of Oromo protests.
Ethiopia's government said in a statement that "lives were lost", adding: "Those responsible will face justice".
The unrest was sparked last November by a plan to expand the capital into Oromia. This led to fears that farmers from the Oromo ethnic group, the largest in Ethiopia, would be displaced.The unrest was sparked last November by a plan to expand the capital into Oromia. This led to fears that farmers from the Oromo ethnic group, the largest in Ethiopia, would be displaced.
The plan was later dropped but protests continued, highlighting issues such as marginalisation and human rights.The plan was later dropped but protests continued, highlighting issues such as marginalisation and human rights.