Emmerson Mnangagwa, the Zimbabwean president, said he narrowly survived an attempt on his life on Saturday after a explosion at a party rally that injured two of his vice-presidents and several party officials.

He described to state media how an object "exploded a few inches away from me - but it is not my time".

Video footage showed plumes of smoke surrounding the president as he was hustled away from the scene, down stairs from the podium at White City stadium in Bulawayo, the country's second city and an opposition stronghold.

Fifteen people were hurt, three of them seriously, according to David Parirenyatwa, the health minister.

Mr Mnangagwa later said he had visited some of the injured in hospital and pleaded for unity ahead of elections next month. </s> Image copyright Reuters Image caption Emmerson Mnangagwa has vowed that the attack would not derail the election

Two people injured in Saturday's explosion at a campaign rally in Zimbabwe's second city of Bulawayo have died, a medical official has said.

Solwayo Ngwenya, clinical director of the city's Mpilo hospital in the city, told AFP other victims had life-threatening injuries.

At least 49 people, including President Emmerson Mnangagwa's two deputies, were injured in the blast.

He said it was an attempt on his life ahead of the 30 July election.

This is the first poll since long-time leader Robert Mugabe was forced from power last year.

Mr Mnangagwa has vowed that the attack would not derail the election.

He is favourite to win the poll, but analysts say he also has enemies - both for overthrowing his former mentor, and for being a previous enforcer of Mr Mugabe's government.

His main rival, Nelson Chamisa, has also condemned the attack, for which there has been no claim of responsibility.

The president told state media that an object "exploded a few inches away from me - but it is not my time". "I am used to these attempts," he added.

The names of the dead have not been released but one is reported to work for Vice-President Constatino Chiwenga.

Eight senior officials suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

Video footage from White City Stadium, where the campaign event was being held, shows an explosion happening close to the president as he leaves the stage after addressing supporters.

Police have now offered a reward for information about the suspects.

Sources close to the investigation say they believe a grenade was hurled at the event, the BBC's Shingai Nyoka reports from Harare.

His spokesman said that while the president was unhurt, Vice-President Kembo Mohadi suffered a leg injury, while Mr Vice-President Chiwenga received bruises to his face.

The campaign rally in Bulawayo was Mr Mnangagwa's first in the city, which is an opposition stronghold. </s> Zimbabwe's government is calling an explosion Saturday an assassination attempt on President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who was holding a campaign rally at a stadium.

The President escaped injuries, but others were injured and hospitalized. The blast occurred at White City Stadium in Bulawayo.

"Investigations are underway and more details will be given to the public," presidential spokesman George Charamba said, according to the state-run newspaper The Herald.

"There have been multiple attempts on the President's life over the past five years."

The country's two vice presidents were among at least eight people injured, The Herald reported. Kembo Mohadi suffered leg injuries, and Constantino Chiwenga had slight facial bruises, state media said.

Other injured officials included Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, minister of water, environment and climate, and Engelbert Rugeje, party secretary of the ruling ZANU-PF.

The Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corp. said three of its crew members were hurt and taken to Mpilo Hospital in Bulawayo

The US Embassy in Harare condemned the attack.

"Political violence in any form is unacceptable & contrary (to the) positive progress required (to) move Zim forward as it seeks (to) take its place on the global stage," the embassy said on Twitter. "Our thoughts & prayers go out (to the) victims & their families."

Next month's presidential elections will be the first since the country's military forced Robert Mugabe out of office in an apparent coup in November. </s> Zimbabwe’s president narrowly survived an attempt on his life this afternoon after a blast at a party rally.

Two of his vice-presidents and several party officials were injured in the blast, however president Emmerson Mnangagwa avoided injury.

He later visited his two injured vice presidents and declared the ‘cowardly act’ will not disrupt elections.

Footage showed the smiling president walking off the stage and into a crowded tent when the blast occurred, sending up smoke as people screamed and ran for cover.

Officials said Mr Mnangagwa was whisked from the stadium rally to a nearby government building in Bulawayo, a traditional opposition stronghold.

The explosion went off ‘a few inches away from me, but it is not my time’, the president told state broadcaster ZBC.

Mr Mnangagwa, who has joked about multiple attempts on his life, said he was used to them by now.

At least 15 people were injured in the blast. Vice President Kembo Mohadi had leg injuries, while Constantino Chiwenga, a second vice president and the former military commander, had facial bruises.

Most of the injured were discharged from a hospital after treatment, presidential spokesman George Charamba said.

However three were seriously injured.

The blast and lack of clarity about who was behind it injected new uncertainty into preparations for the July 30 elections, the first since longtime leader Robert Mugabe stepped down in November after a military takeover.

Mr Mnangagwa, who was fired as Mugabe’s deputy in a ruling party feud shortly before the transition, took over with pledges to deliver free and fair elections.

He said he was awaiting further information about the blast but added those responsible must have come from ‘outside Bulawayo’. He added: ‘I can assure you these are my normal enemies.’

Mr Mnangagwa on Saturday evening appealed to the southern African nation for unity.

‘The campaign has been conducted in a free and peaceful environment, and we will not allow this cowardly act to get in our way as we move towards elections,’ he said.

Zimbabwe’s main opposition leader, Nelson Chamisa, said: ‘Our prayers go out to the injured and we hope no lives have been lost. Violence must have no place in our politics.’

The United States and Britain were among countries that condemned the explosion.

The US Embassy said ‘political violence in any form is unacceptable’ and contrary to the progress needed to move Zimbabwe forward to ‘take its place on the global stage.’ </s> The remains of Morgan Tsvangirai, a former prime minister of Zimbabwe and a leading opponent of Robert Mugabe, were driven through the streets of Harare on February 19 before an official state funeral scheduled for the following day. Thousands lined the streets and filled Freedom Square in Harare for a memorial service. The 65-year-old died of colon cancer on February 14. This video shows a van carrying Tsvangirai’s remains, followed by a procession of cars, slowly moving through the capital as bystanders cheer and take photos. Credit: MDC Zimbabwe via Storyful

AN explosion rocked a stadium where Zimbabwe’s president was addressing a campaign rally on Saturday, with state media calling it an assassination attempt but saying he was not hurt and was evacuated from the scene.

Witnesses said several people appeared to be injured, including the Vice President.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa was whisked to a state house in Bulawayo, where he had been speaking ahead of next month’s historic election, the first since longtime leader Robert Mugabe stepped down.

“Attempt on ED’s life,” the state-run Zimbabwe Herald’s headline said, referring to the president by his initials.

The blast occurred as Mnangagwa had just finished addressing the crowd and was leaving the podium.

Footage posted online showed the president waving to the crowd, turning to step off the podium and walking into the open-sided VIP tent, where seconds later the explosion occurred.

People ducked and screamed and smoke billowed. State television immediately cut its broadcast. The broadcaster, ZBC, later reported that Vice President Kembo Mohadi was injured in the leg and taken to a local hospital.

The explosion came just hours after a similar attack in Ethiopia, where a blast killed at least one person and injured scores just after the new prime minister addressed a huge rally in the capital.

Presidential spokesman George Charamba told The Zimbabwe Herald that investigations were underway, and pointed out that there have been “multiple attempts” on Mnangagwa’s life over the years.

The president himself has openly joked about the attempts, including during his campaigning.

Mnangagwa took power in November after former ally Mugabe stepped down under military pressure.

That dramatic transfer of power began when Mnangagwa was fired as Mugabe’s deputy and said he had to immediately flee the country for his life.

The July 30 election will be the first without Mugabe in the southern African nation since independence in 1980.

Mnangagwa has pledged to hold a free and fair election, inviting Western observers for the first time in almost two decades.

Past votes have been marked by allegations of violence and fraud, and the United States and others have said a credible vote is key to lifting international sanctions. </s> Zimbabwe’s government is calling an explosion Saturday an assassination attempt on President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who was holding a campaign rally at a stadium.

The president escaped injuries, but others were injured and hospitalized. A security officer had to have a leg amputated, presidential spokesman George Charamba said. The blast occurred at White City Stadium in Bulawayo.

“This incident doesn’t stand in the way of the electoral program,” he said. “It doesn’t undermine the security of the country, but we are jolted. We are not used to this kind of violence.”

A “complex investigation” is underway, he said.

“The president’s response has been: We answer with love. We must not speculate ahead of investigations,” Charamba said.

The country’s two vice presidents were among the injured, the state-run newspaper The Herald reported. Kembo Mohadi suffered leg injuries, and Constantino Chiwenga had slight facial bruises, state media said.

Chiwenga’s wife was also hospitalized, but she has been treated and released, Charamba said.

Other injured officials include Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, minister of water, environment and climate, and Engelbert Rugeje, party secretary of the ruling ZANU-PF.

Mohadi remained hospitalized early Sunday, as did Muchinguri, Charamba said.

The Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corp. said three of its crew members were hurt and taken to Mpilo Hospital in Bulawayo

The U.S. Embassy in Harare condemned the attack.

“Political violence in any form is unacceptable & contrary to the positive progress required to move Zim forward as it seeks to take its place on the global stage,” the embassy said on Twitter. “Our thoughts & prayers go out to the victims & their families.”

Nelson Chamisa, an opposition leader in Zimbabwe, denounced the stadium explosion. Chamisa heads the Movement for Democratic Change and is a contender for president in elections next month.

“Our prayers go out to the injured and we hope no lives have be lost,” Chamisa said. “Violence must have no place in our politics. May God bless and protect the country we all love.”

The presidential elections will be the first since the country’s military forced Robert Mugabe out of office in an apparent coup in November. </s> Zimbabwe's president has escaped injury after an explosion at a stadium where he was addressing a rally, in what state media are describing as an assassination attempt.

Emmerson Mnangagwa has vowed that the "cowardly act" will not derail next month's historic election - the first since long-time leader Robert Mugabe stepped down.

He said the object had "exploded a few inches away from me, but it is not my time".

One of Zimbabwe's two vice presidents, Kembo Mohadi, suffered a leg injury in the blast, which happened in Bulawayo.

The country's environment minister, deputy speaker of parliament and several security personnel were also among the injured.

Footage posted online showed the president waving to the crowd as he turned to step off the podium and walked into the open-sided VIP tent, where the explosion happened seconds later.

People were seen ducking and screaming as smoke billowed through the stadium - with state television immediately cutting the broadcast.

No groups have come forward to say that they were behind the explosion so far.

Bulawayo is Zimbabwe's second-largest city and is traditionally an opposition stronghold.

The blast happened just hours after a similar attack in Ethiopia during a rally for the country's new prime minister. An attacker threw a grenade towards the stage where he was sitting - killing one person and injuring at least 83 others.

Presidential spokesman George Charamba told The Zimbabwe Herald that an investigation had been launched and said there had been "multiple attempts" on Mr Mnangagwa's life over the years.

Mr Mnangagwa later visited those who were injured in the blast at the local hospital.

Speaking hours after the explosion, the president said: "The campaign so far has been conducted in a free and peaceful environment and we will not allow this cowardly act to get in our way as we move towards elections."

The president has joked about the attempts on his life while on the campaign trail.

Mr Mnangagwa came to power in November after former ally Robert Mugabe stepped down under military pressure.

The transfer of power began when Mr Mnangagwa was sacked as Mugabe's deputy and said he had to flee the country immediately as his life was in danger.

The election on 30 July will be the first without Mr Mugabe in the southern African nation since independence in 1980.

The British Embassy tweeted: "There is no place for any form of political violence in Zimbabwe. We want to express our sympathy and concern for all those who have been injured."

The US Embassy also condemned the attack on Twitter and said "political violence in any form is unacceptable" and contrary to the progress needed to move the country forward and "take its place on the global stage".

American officials have said a credible vote is the only way international sanctions can be lifted. </s> The recent explosion that occurred at a stadium in the Zimbabwean city of Bulawayo on Saturday during a campaign rally of President Emmerson Mnangagwa was an act of terrorism, Zimbabwean Vice President Constantino Chiwenga said.

"That act of terrorism which happened in Bulawayo is nothing, it does not deter us. But if the colleagues running for harmonised elections on the 30th of July are afraid and scared, they will be given security," Chiwenga said Sunday, as quoted by the Herald newspaper.

The Russian Embassy in Zimbabwe has issued a statement condemning the recent assassination attempt on Zimbabwe's president Emmerson Mnangagwa. The statement said that the Russian side wished speedy recovery to everyone wounded in the attack.

On July 30, the Zimbabweans will elect new president. The vote will take place for the first time since end of rule of ousted Robert Mugabe. Mnangagwa, who previously served as vice president, was sworn in as Mugabe's successor. </s> Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption This video has been removed for rights reasons

Zimbabwe's President Emmerson Mnangagwa has survived an apparent bomb attack at a rally in the city of Bulawayo.

Mr Mnangagwa said an object "exploded a few inches away from me - but it is not my time".

Video footage from White City Stadium shows an explosion happening close to Mr Mnangagwa as he leaves the stage after addressing supporters.

Health Minister David Parirenyatwa said 15 people were injured, three of them seriously.

The exact number of people hurt by the blast remains unclear - and reports suggest it may be significantly higher.

The president was in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe's second city and an opposition stronghold, to campaign for his Zanu-PF party ahead of nationwide elections taking place on 30 July.

He is favourite to win the poll, but analysts say he also has enemies - both for overthrowing his former mentor, Robert Mugabe, and for being a previous enforcer of the Mugabe regime.

A spokesman for Mr Mnangagwa said that while the president was unhurt, Vice-President Kembo Mohadi suffered a leg injury. Another vice-president, Constantino Chiwenga, received bruises to his face.

Image copyright EPA Image caption Red Cross personnel rush an injured army member away from the rally

Other officials, including Zanu-PF party chairwoman Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, were also injured, as were some crew members from state broadcaster ZBC and security personnel.

Mr Mnangagwa, 75, said he had visited the injured in hospital. He condemned the violence as senseless and pleaded for unity.

"I am used to these attempts," he told state media.

Mr Mnangagwa came to power last November after ousting Mr Mugabe.

He was evacuated from the scene soon after the blast.

"People started running in all directions and then immediately the president's motorcade left at a very high speed," an AFP news agency correspondent at the scene reported.

Image copyright EPA Image caption President Mnangagwa (centre) was campaigning ahead of elections next month

The elections are the first in Zimbabwe since Mr Mugabe was forced out after 37 years in power.

"Vice-President Mohadi is nursing some leg injuries but he is in good spirit," he was quoted as saying.

Marry Chiwenga, the wife of Vice-President Chiwenga, was also injured and pictures on social media showed the president visiting her in hospital.

Opposition leader Nelson Chamisa condemned the attack.

"Political violence of any nature from any quarter is totally unacceptable," he said.

"In the past 38 years political violence has been a permanent feature and an anticipated ritual... which we must expunge."

The US Embassy in Harare tweeted "thoughts & prayers".

The election - dominated by economic issues - is the first to be monitored by international observers since 2002. Mr Mnangagwa has said the vote will be free and fair.

More on Zimbabwe:

Who is Emmerson Mnangagwa?

Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption Emmerson Mnangagwa: Who is the man known as the ‘crocodile’?

Known as "the crocodile" because of his political shrewdness - his Zanu-PF faction is "Lacoste"

Received military training in China and Egypt

Tortured by Rhodesian forces after his "crocodile gang" staged attacks

Helped direct Zimbabwe's war of independence in the 1960s and 1970s

Became the country's spymaster during the 1980s civil conflict, in which thousands of civilians were killed, but has denied any role in the massacres, blaming the army

Accused of masterminding attacks on opposition supporters after 2008 election

Says he will deliver jobs, and seen as open to economic reforms

The 'crocodile' who snapped back
Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa survives an apparent assassination attempt when an explosive device detonates at an election campaign rally in Bulawayo. A few bystanders, including Vice-President Kembo Mohadi, suffer minor injuries.