There has been a large explosion in the Ethiopian capital’s crowded Merkato business district where people gather socially after work.

The BBC’s Elizabeth Blunt in Addis Ababa says the blast happened in a video parlour where customers were watching a film.

A local radio station says four people died and 24 people were wounded. The police have not released any figures.

Sporadic attacks in Addis Ababa are usually blamed on Eritrean-back rebels.

Our correspondent says the explosion happened at around 1700 local time (1400 GMT).

Lots of ambulances have rushed to the scene – between the main Friday Mosque and bus station – and the whole area has been cordoned off by police, she says.

Merkato is full of teashops and places where young men and boys play table football.