Bomb blasts kill 3, injure 18
Addis Ababa, April 15,2008 - Three persons were killed and 18 others injured in separate bomb blasts that occurred here on Monday simultaneously in areas locally known as Gerji and Lem Hotel, the Federal Security Forces Command Post said.
The blast that set ablaze part of a depot in an area back of Imperial Hotel at 6:30 PM has killed two persons while inflicting heavy and light injuries on nine others.
Another blast that occurred at the same time damaged another depot around Lem Hotel and left one person dead while inflicting heavy and minor injuries on nine others, the Command post said.
The blasts have killed innocent civilians who queued to buy kerosene from the depots.
Two of the victims died after reaching hospital, the Command Post said.
The victims who suffered heavy injuries are under intensive health care in hospitals here in the capital. Those who suffered minor injuries returned home after receiving first aid treatment.
Pointing out that the bomb attacks that occurred at a time when the country is on the verge of finalizing its by-election and local election successfully is targeted at destabilizing the building of democracy in the country.
There is no doubt that the attacks were perpetrated by desperate groups, it added.
The police have launched an extensive investigation to determine the cause and catch masterminds of the attacks, the Command Post said.
