Anti-goverment protests spread from the capital to other parts of Ethiopia on Friday, leaving four people dead and 11 wounded, state-run television reported, as the prime minister vowed to prosecute opposition officials after a week of bloody clashes between demonstrators and police.
Friday's casualties occurred in Bahar Dar, the second city of Ethiopia, the television reported. It was not possible to immediately verify the figures. Scattered gunfire and rioting was also reported in the capital, where doctors said at least two people were wounded.
Police have killed at least 40 people since violent confrontations began on Tuesday in the capital, following largely peaceful protests on Monday, medical officials said. Government officials have put the death toll over the week at 24 civilians and seven police officers.
Protests erupted on Friday in Dessie, Gondar, Bahar Dar, Arba Minch, Awassa, Dire Dawa -- towns that are pro-opposition north and south of the capital, according to Western diplomats, hotel owners and tour operators.
The protesters were calling for an independent investigation into the killings in the capital and the release of political prisoners, according to witnesses.
Prime Minister Meles Zenawi told the state media that the main opposition Coalition for Unity and Democracy was responsible for the damage and loss of life that occurred during the protests. Opposition officials would be charged in court, he said.
Protesters in Bahar Dar -- a tourist site northwest of Addis Ababa -- stopped a bus carrying 20 European tourists and tried to set it on fire using gasoline cans. Police fired in the air to disperse the rioters and the bus drove off, said Dario Morello of Greenland Tours.
"The tourists were terrified. The situation is not good," he said.
Diplomats from four European countries said on Friday they had reports from opposition members and other contacts of police rounding up suspected opposition supporters overnight.
An estimated 3,000 people had been detained, according to the diplomats. However, they acknowledged that it was not possible to verify the number.
The government later released a statement saying it had controlled the violence, adding that Addis Ababa "has become peaceful."
"On the other hand, similar but very limited violence has occurred in Bahar Dar, Awassa, Gondar, Dessie and Dire Dawa," according to the statement. "However, this was brought under control after a short while."
Ambassadors from 21 countries that donate large sums of money to Ethiopia issued a statement expressing concern at the violence, calling for an urgent investigation and recommending all political detainees be either charged or released.
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