Three die in Ethiopia wave of bombs

NINE bombs exploded across Ethiopia’s capital Addis Ababa yesterday, killing three and injuring more than 42.

No group immediately took responsibility for the blasts, which focused on government-owned companies and public transportation.

But the bombings, coming days before the anniversary of last year’s general election — slated as flawed by international observers — could point to growing militant opposition.

Opposition politicians have refused to take up their posts, meanwhile, in protest what they called government rigging of last years election.

Four bombs exploded in the morning, followed by a lull before another five exploded after midday. The bombs struck across the city, but four exploded in Addis Ababa’s busy Mercato — the city’s shopping district.

The first blast occurred at 4.50am in one of Addis Ababa’s main plazas, damaging an Ethiopian Airlines office, while the next damaged the headquarters of the city’s electricity company, injuring seven people.

The third explosion blew out the front of a city bus, injuring seven, and the fourth bomb, detonated outside a cafe in the Mercato, killing two people and injuring seven others.

Bereket Betiwibid, 15, described seeing patrons knocked out of their chairs and two waitresses thrown across the veranda when the bomb exploded on the sidewalk.

In the afternoon, a third man was killed when a bomb destroyed the rear of a small bus, injuring 16 others. A second afternoon blast destroyed a minibus taxi, but there were no reports of casualties.

Two more bombs detonated near the bus station in the Mercato, one in a public toilet inside a hotel, injuring three, and the second outside a barbershop, injuring two.

A ninth bomb later detonated under a bridge causing no injuries or significant damage.