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| Police 'kill many' in Madagascar | Police 'kill many' in Madagascar |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| At least 23 people have been killed in Madagascar after police opened fire on an opposition demonstration in the island nation's capital, reports say. | At least 23 people have been killed in Madagascar after police opened fire on an opposition demonstration in the island nation's capital, reports say. |
| Some reports suggest that as many as 30 people may have been killed. | Some reports suggest that as many as 30 people may have been killed. |
| There have been repeated protests against the dismissal of Antananarivo Mayor Andry Rajoelina, who is engaged in a power struggle with the president. | There have been repeated protests against the dismissal of Antananarivo Mayor Andry Rajoelina, who is engaged in a power struggle with the president. |
| The sacked mayor accuses President Marc Ravalomanana of misspending public money and being a dictator. | The sacked mayor accuses President Marc Ravalomanana of misspending public money and being a dictator. |
| "Up to now, 25 are dead," an unnamed senior police officer at the scene was quoted by Reuters as saying. | "Up to now, 25 are dead," an unnamed senior police officer at the scene was quoted by Reuters as saying. |
| The fire brigade said at least 23 people had been killed, AFP news agency said, while local media reported that 30 people were killed. | The fire brigade said at least 23 people had been killed, AFP news agency said, while local media reported that 30 people were killed. |
| The crowd was walking peacefully, then all of a sudden, the military opened fire Jocelyn RatolojanaharyAnti-government protester Madagascar's 'militant mayor' | The crowd was walking peacefully, then all of a sudden, the military opened fire Jocelyn RatolojanaharyAnti-government protester Madagascar's 'militant mayor' |
| Demonstrators had been marching towards President Ravalomanana's compound when riot police opened fire. | Demonstrators had been marching towards President Ravalomanana's compound when riot police opened fire. |
| Earlier, during a rally attended by 20,000 people, the former mayor's supporters had declared him head of a "transition higher authority". | Earlier, during a rally attended by 20,000 people, the former mayor's supporters had declared him head of a "transition higher authority". |
| Unarmed protesters | Unarmed protesters |
| Immediately after the shooting, Mr Rajoelina said on Viva Radio: "The people were not armed, they only had their courage." | Immediately after the shooting, Mr Rajoelina said on Viva Radio: "The people were not armed, they only had their courage." |
| It is not clear if he was with the demonstration when the shooting broke out. | It is not clear if he was with the demonstration when the shooting broke out. |
| There were dozens of injured people at the city's main hospital. Jocelyn Ratolojanahary, whose hand was bandaged, told Reuters. | There were dozens of injured people at the city's main hospital. Jocelyn Ratolojanahary, whose hand was bandaged, told Reuters. |
| She said: "The crowd was walking peacefully, then all of a sudden, the military opened fire." | She said: "The crowd was walking peacefully, then all of a sudden, the military opened fire." |
| President Ravalomanana reportedly blamed the opposition leader for the violence. | President Ravalomanana reportedly blamed the opposition leader for the violence. |
| "He (Rajoelina) led people to take the presidential palace by force and didn't know how to control them," Mr Ravalomanana told state television, according to Reuters news agency. | "He (Rajoelina) led people to take the presidential palace by force and didn't know how to control them," Mr Ravalomanana told state television, according to Reuters news agency. |
| Mr Rajoelina was sacked by the government on Tuesday and replaced as mayor by Guy Randrianarisoa, a local city official. | Mr Rajoelina was sacked by the government on Tuesday and replaced as mayor by Guy Randrianarisoa, a local city official. |
| Mr Rajoelina, who has successfully tapped into widespread frustration with the government, has said he would set up a transitional administration unless the president steps down. | Mr Rajoelina, who has successfully tapped into widespread frustration with the government, has said he would set up a transitional administration unless the president steps down. |
| Dozens of people were killed in unrest in January after anti-government protests turned into rioting and looting. | Dozens of people were killed in unrest in January after anti-government protests turned into rioting and looting. |
| Madagascar, the world's fourth-largest island, has become a destination for tourists as well as foreign companies, searching for oil, gold, cobalt, nickel and uranium. | Madagascar, the world's fourth-largest island, has become a destination for tourists as well as foreign companies, searching for oil, gold, cobalt, nickel and uranium. |
| Are you in Antananarivo? Did you witness the incident? Send us your comments and experiences. | |