More clashes in Addis Ababa

Many protesters were beaten on Tuesday

Thousands of young demonstrators have clashed with police in a second day of rioting in the capital, Addis Ababa.

Witnesses spoke of hearing gunshots, shops being looted and stones being thrown.

The riots appear linked to student protests against police brutality and their calls for political and academic freedom.

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.

Hospitals 'overwhelmed'

Reuters news agency said doctors at city hospitals have been "overwhelmed with injured people".

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.

In 1993 similar scenes of violence broke out after students protested at the firing of 42 lecturers.