Zimbabwe President Mnangagwa says he was 'inches' from Bulawayo explosion

Zimbabwe's President Emmerson Mnangagwa has survived an apparent bomb attack at a rally in the city of Bulawayo.

Mr Mnangagwa said an object "exploded a few inches away from me - but it is not my time".

Video footage from White City Stadium shows an explosion happening close to Mr Mnangagwa as he leaves the stage after addressing supporters.

Health Minister David Parirenyatwa said 15 people were injured, three of them seriously.

The exact number of people hurt by the blast remains unclear - and reports suggest it may be significantly higher.

The president was in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe's second city and an opposition stronghold, to campaign for his Zanu-PF party ahead of nationwide elections taking place on 30 July.

He is favourite to win the poll, but analysts say he also has enemies - both for overthrowing his former mentor, Robert Mugabe, and for being a previous enforcer of the Mugabe regime.

A spokesman for Mr Mnangagwa said that while the president was unhurt, Vice-President Kembo Mohadi suffered a leg injury. Another vice-president, Constantino Chiwenga, received bruises to his face.

Red Cross personnel rush an injured army member away from the rally

Other officials, including Zanu-PF party chairwoman Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, were also injured, as were some crew members from state broadcaster ZBC and security personnel.

Mr Mnangagwa, 75, said he had visited the injured in hospital. He condemned the violence as senseless and pleaded for unity.

"I am used to these attempts," he told state media.

Mr Mnangagwa came to power last November after ousting Mr Mugabe.

He was evacuated from the scene soon after the blast.

"People started running in all directions and then immediately the president's motorcade left at a very high speed," an AFP news agency correspondent at the scene reported.

President Mnangagwa (centre) was campaigning ahead of elections next month

The elections are the first in Zimbabwe since Mr Mugabe was forced out after 37 years in power.

"Vice-President Mohadi is nursing some leg injuries but he is in good spirit," he was quoted as saying.

Marry Chiwenga, the wife of Vice-President Chiwenga, was also injured and pictures on social media showed the president visiting her in hospital.

Opposition leader Nelson Chamisa condemned the attack.

"Political violence of any nature from any quarter is totally unacceptable," he said.

"In the past 38 years political violence has been a permanent feature and an anticipated ritual... which we must expunge."

The US Embassy in Harare tweeted "thoughts & prayers".

The election - dominated by economic issues - is the first to be monitored by international observers since 2002. Mr Mnangagwa has said the vote will be free and fair.

More on Zimbabwe:

• Will age be a factor in Zimbabwe's poll?

• Have Zimbabwe's generals turned into democrats?

• Zimbabwe profile

Who is Emmerson Mnangagwa?

• Known as "the crocodile" because of his political shrewdness - his Zanu-PF faction is "Lacoste"

• Received military training in China and Egypt

• Tortured by Rhodesian forces after his "crocodile gang" staged attacks

• Helped direct Zimbabwe's war of independence in the 1960s and 1970s

• Became the country's spymaster during the 1980s civil conflict, in which thousands of civilians were killed, but has denied any role in the massacres, blaming the army

• Accused of masterminding attacks on opposition supporters after 2008 election

• Says he will deliver jobs, and seen as open to economic reforms

The 'crocodile' who snapped back