At least 23 prisoners killed in Ethiopia

In Ethiopia, at least 23 inmates have died after a fire at an Ethiopian prison where anti-government protesters are reportedly being held. 

A government statement says 21 died of suffocation after a stampede while two others were killed as they tried to escape. Some local media have disputed the account,



citing unnamed witnesses who say prisoners were shot by the wardens. There has been an unprecedented wave of protests in Ethiopia in recent months. The identity of the prisoners has not been made public.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn has blamed "anti-peace forces" for the violence.