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Zimbabwe President Mnangagwa says he was 'inches' from Bulawayo explosion Zimbabwe President Mnangagwa says he was 'inches' from Bulawayo explosion
(about 9 hours later)
Zimbabwe's President Emmerson Mnangagwa has survived an apparent bomb attack at a rally in the city of Bulawayo.Zimbabwe's President Emmerson Mnangagwa has survived an apparent bomb attack at a rally in the city of Bulawayo.
Mr Mnangagwa said an object "exploded a few inches away from me - but it is not my time".Mr Mnangagwa said an object "exploded a few inches away from me - but it is not my time".
Video footage from White City Stadium shows an explosion happening close to Mr Mnangagwa as he was leaving the stage having addressed supporters. Video footage from White City Stadium shows an explosion happening close to Mr Mnangagwa as he leaves the stage after addressing supporters.
While the president was unhurt, state TV reports that Vice-President Kembo Mohadi has suffered a leg injury. Health Minister David Parirenyatwa said 15 people were injured, three of them seriously.
Mr Mnangagwa says he has visited the injured in hospital. He condemned the violence as senseless and pleaded for unity. The exact number of people hurt by the blast remains unclear - and reports suggest it may be significantly higher.
Mr Mnangagwa came to power last November, ousting his former mentor Robert Mugabe.
The president was in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe's second city and an opposition stronghold, to campaign for his Zanu-PF party ahead of nationwide elections taking place on 30 July.The president was in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe's second city and an opposition stronghold, to campaign for his Zanu-PF party ahead of nationwide elections taking place on 30 July.
"People started running in all directions and then immediately the president's motorcade left at a very high speed," an AFP correspondent at the scene reported. He is favourite to win the poll, but analysts say he also has enemies - both for overthrowing his former mentor, Robert Mugabe, and for being a previous enforcer of the Mugabe regime.
The elections are the first in Zimbabwe since Mr Mugabe was ousted after 37 years in power. A spokesman for Mr Mnangagwa said that while the president was unhurt, Vice-President Kembo Mohadi suffered a leg injury. Another vice-president, Constantino Chiwenga, received bruises to his face.
Presidential spokesman George Charamba told the Zimbabwe Herald newspaper that there were eight or nine injured people, most of whom had been attended to and discharged from hospital. Other officials, including Zanu-PF party chairwoman Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, were also injured, as were some crew members from state broadcaster ZBC and security personnel.
Mr Mnangagwa, 75, said he had visited the injured in hospital. He condemned the violence as senseless and pleaded for unity.
"I am used to these attempts," he told state media.
Mr Mnangagwa came to power last November after ousting Mr Mugabe.
He was evacuated from the scene soon after the blast.
"People started running in all directions and then immediately the president's motorcade left at a very high speed," an AFP news agency correspondent at the scene reported.
The elections are the first in Zimbabwe since Mr Mugabe was forced out after 37 years in power.
"Vice-President Mohadi is nursing some leg injuries but he is in good spirit," he was quoted as saying."Vice-President Mohadi is nursing some leg injuries but he is in good spirit," he was quoted as saying.
Marry Chiwenga, the wife of Zimbabwe's First Vice-President, Constantino Chiwenga, was also injured and pictures on social media showed the president visiting her in hospital. Marry Chiwenga, the wife of Vice-President Chiwenga, was also injured and pictures on social media showed the president visiting her in hospital.
State broadcaster ZBC also reported that Zanu PF national chairman Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, political commissar Engelbert Rugeje and some ZBC crew members were also injured. Opposition leader Nelson Chamisa condemned the attack.
The US Embassy in Harare condemned the attack. "Political violence of any nature from any quarter is totally unacceptable," he said.
"In the past 38 years political violence has been a permanent feature and an anticipated ritual... which we must expunge."
The US Embassy in Harare tweeted "thoughts & prayers".
The election - dominated by economic issues - is the first to be monitored by international observers since 2002. Mr Mnangagwa has said the vote will be free and fair.
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