NAIROBI, October 27. /TASS/. At least 60 people were killed in two attacks by armed groups in the Arsi area of the Oromia region of Ethiopia, Africanews TV channel quoted a statement from the Ethiopian Orthodox Church as saying.

According to the statement from the Holy Synod, 14 people were killed on October 20 in the Merti district, and 46 more on October 24 in the Shirka district. All the dead were Christians. More than 20 houses were burned down in the attacks, and over 20 people were hospitalized with serious injuries.

Earlier, local online publication The Abay Times said armed men killed at least 48 people, including women, children and the elderly, in the settlements of Chole and Birbo in the Shirka district. According to eyewitnesses, the attackers used automatic weapons, looted houses and killed civilians.

The attackers are yet to be established. The Oromian authorities and representatives of the armed opposition accuse each other of carrying out violent acts. The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission said it was investigating the claims.