Tragedy in Ethiopia: Church Scaffolding Collapse Claims 36 Lives

Incident Overview:

At least 36 people were killed and dozens more injured when makeshift scaffolding collapsed at the Menjar Shenkora Arerti Mariam Church in Arerti, Amhara region, Ethiopia. The disaster struck at 7:45am local time during the annual Virgin Mary festival, drawing hundreds of pilgrims to the site.

What Went Wrong:

• The church was under construction, and the scaffolding made of wooden poles gave way under the weight of the crowd.
• Some victims remain trapped under the rubble, with rescue efforts ongoing.
• Health and safety regulations in Ethiopia are minimal, and construction accidents are tragically common.

Local Response:

• District police chief Ahmed Gebeyehu confirmed the death toll and warned it may rise.
• Local administrator Teshale Tilahun called it “a tragic loss for the community.”
• Survivors with serious injuries were transferred to hospitals in Addis Ababa, 70 km away.

Visuals & Impact:

• Images show tangled scaffolding, stunned crowds, and emergency responders navigating dense debris.
• The collapse has cast a shadow over one of Ethiopia’s most sacred annual gatherings.

(Source Al Jazeera)

—Agencies