'More than 100 died' at Ethiopia protest

Ethiopians are observing three days of national mourning after the death of about 52 people during a protest at a religious festival in the Oromia region yesterday.

A statement on Ethiopia's state broadcaster said the mourning is to "commemorate innocent citizens who lost their lives because of violence instigated by anti-peace forces".

Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn early on blamed rioters for the "mayhem" which led to a stampede.

Opposition activists say the panic was caused when security forces fired tear gas and bullets into the large crowd which had gathered for a thanksgiving ceremony.

BBC