An explosion struck a huge rally for Ethiopia's reformist new prime minister today shortly after he spoke and was waving to the cheering crowd that turned out to support sweeping changes in Africa's second most populous nation.
Addressing the country minutes after he was rushed to safety, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed called the blast a "well-orchestrated attack" but one that failed.
He did not lay blame but said police were investigating.
Health Minister Amir Aman confirmed one death while Abiy's chief of staff said 83 people were hurt, six critically.
"The prime minster was the target," a rally organiser, 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."
The attack was "cheap and unacceptable," Ethiopia's 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."