Bomb explodes on minibus in Ethiopia

A bomb exploded on a packed minibus heading into Ethiopia 's capital Monday, killing at least one person and wounding several others, police and witnesses said.

Photo: Bomb explodes on minibus in Ethiopia

The vehicle, which was carrying about 10 people into downtown Addis Ababa, was ripped apart in the blast, witnesses said.

Ethiopia's top police official, Demsash Hailu, confirmed the explosion was caused by a bomb and said at least one person was killed. It was unclear how many people were injured.

The blast occurred at about 9:45 a.m. (0645GMT) as the bus was making a stop in the capital's outlying Kirkos district.

The force of the blast, which appeared to have gone off at the rear of the bus, hurled parts of the vehicle into the street.

Authorities did not say who they thought was behind the bombing.

Police have blamed a series of small bombings in recent months on militant elements of the political opposition. But the explosions, which have done little damage, have not been accompanied by any claims of responsibility and there has been no indication beyond police statements that they were politically motivated.

During protests in June and November over elections that returned Prime Minister Meles Zenawi to power, stone throwing demonstrators and heavily armed security forces clashed, leaving at least 86 people dead. European Union observers have said widespread abuses undermined the validity of the May elections.

A government crackdown in recent months has seen more than 100 opposition leaders, aid workers and journalists brought to trial on charges stemming from the postelection violence. International human rights groups have condemned the trial, arguing that the charges were politically motivated, reports the AP.

D.M.