Security

Eight people, including five children, killed by unexploded ordnance in Tigray region

AI SUMMARY

An unexploded ordnance blast in Ethiopia's Tigray region has killed eight people, including five children, and injured 18 others.

Eight people, including five children and three adults, were killed by an unexploded ordnance blast in the Chila district of Abergele, Tigray.
The explosion occurred on October 27, 2026, in the Ma'arey station area of Chila town.
The blast was triggered when donkeys loaded with scrap metal from a former Tigray forces weapon depot brought unexploded ordnance to local dealers in a residential area.
Five donkeys carrying the scrap and unexploded ordnance also died immediately in the explosion.
Chila Hospital manager Erday Asefa stated that 18 people were injured, with 15 admitted to the hospital, and several later died from severe injuries at Ayder Referral Hospital and Abiy Adi Hospital.
Resident Ato Adunya Gebremedhin lost his two-year-old child in the blast, while his nine-year-old child was injured.
Priest Gebreselassie Meresa lost his six-year-old daughter, and four other family members were severely injured.
Security forces had withdrawn from the area following fighting, prompting residents to enter the weapon depot site to collect scrap metal.
Satellite imagery from Planet Labs confirmed a major explosion and fire at the northern Chila weapons depot between October 21 and 22.