MEKELE: A deadly airstrike on a market left 40 people dead in Ethiopia’s war-torn northern Tigray region on Wednesday.

The air strike came as ballot counting was underway across much of the rest of the country following Monday’s general election. No vote was held in Tigray because of the conflict, and the air strike occurred as reports emerged of rebel advances in some parts of the region.

“There were lots of injured people and dead people,” said 20-year-old survivor Birhan Gebrehiwet, whose house next to the market was destroyed by Tuesday’s blast.

“We were stepping on them and in their blood,” she added. Birhan said she was selling drinks around lunchtime when the attack happened.

“I am sure it came from the air,” she added.

Published in Dawn, June 24th, 2021