News agencies report the death of at least one student and many injured although the main afternoon news bulletin on state radio made no mention of the disturbances. Hundreds of riot police were deployed. Dozens are feared injured At least two buses and several government-owned cars were burnt and had their windows smashed. The offices of Ethiopian Airlines and the national electricity company also had their windows broken. AFP news agency spoke of schoolchildren joining the protests.
Rioters say they sympathise a boycott of classes by university students.
Student deadline Tension has been high at Addis Ababa University since police stormed the campus last week during a protest over academic and political rights in which many striking students were beaten. The students had been given a noon deadline by the government to resume classes or face dismissal. Many have been seen leaving the campus with suitcases in hand. The protests are also reported to have spread to Mekele University in the north. Street demonstrations and public protests are extremely rare in Ethiopia.