Leopard injures 13 including children in Ethiopia

A leopard has attacked 13 people, including children, in the Ethiopian town of Alaba Kulito, 200km (124 miles) south of the capital

It was first reported the animal broke into a residential house early in the morning. Then police forces were despatched to contain the situation.

"It was jumping on the roof of the houses. This created chaos in the society. The panicked leopard then started attacking people," Deputy Police Commander Taju Negash told the BBC.

"Among the victims were two children, and women. The rest are youth," he adds.

It is not known where the leopard came from, police say.

The victims are currently being treated in hospital.

Such incidents are not uncommon. In September last year, a leopard killed a husband and wife who were on their way home and injured another two militias in Jimma, western Ethiopia.

Experts warn that animal attacks are on the increase due in part to people building houses in new areas.

This article originally appeared on BBC News

Photo: Ethiopian Police