Journalism of Courage
Advertisement
Premium

Dozens of deaths during stampede at Ethiopian religious event in Addis Ababa

Ethiopia has seen several months of sometimes deadly protests by people demanding greater freedoms from the government.

Ethiopian religious festival, Ethiopia religion festival Addis Ababa, Addis Ababa, stampede Ethiopia, Ethiopia religious festival, mesket festival, world news People at the annual festival in Bishoftu were crushed to death Sunday morning after police used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse protesters. (Source: Reuters)

Witnesses say several dozen people have died in a stampede during a religious celebration in a town southeast of Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa.

People at the annual festival in Bishoftu were crushed to death Sunday morning after police used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse protesters chanting anti-government slogans as they pushed toward a stage where leaders were speaking.

Watch what else is making news

As festival goers fled, some got crushed in nearby ditches.

An estimated 2 million people were attending the event.

A reporter saw people holding up crossed wrists in a gesture of anti-government protest.

Ethiopia has seen several months of sometimes deadly protests by people demanding greater freedoms from the government.

The United States recently expressed concern about the excessive use of force against protesters.

From the homepage

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram

Tags:
Edition
Install the Express App for
a better experience
Featured
Trending Topics
News
Multimedia
Follow Us
Express ExplainedThe importance of Sir Creek: Why India & Pakistan have failed to solve border dispute
X