At least 36 people have died and more than 200 others were injured after scaffolding collapsed at a church under construction in Ethiopia’s Amhara region on Wednesday morning, October 1. Scaffolding collapsed in the Orthodox Areti Mariam Church. The incident occurred around 7.45am at Arerti Mariam Church in the Minjar Sheknora district, approximately 70 kilometres from the capital, Addis Ababa. What caused the Ethiopian church to collapse? Al Jazeera reported that thousands of worshippers had gathered for the annual Orthodox Christian celebration of St. Mary when the structure gave way. According to local police inspector Ahmed Gebeyehu, many attendees had climbed the wooden scaffolding to view a ceiling mural when it suddenly collapsed. Eyewitnesses described the scene as chaotic and terrifying.
“A large section of the church collapsed—the sound of the wooden structure giving way was loud and terrifying,” one witness said. Mikias Mebratu, who lost three friends in the tragedy, told CNN: ‘We all had gathered in prayers when all of a sudden the scaffolding collapsed and people started falling from the ceiling.’ Emergency responders rushed to the scene, with severely injured victims transferred to hospitals in Addis Ababa for advanced treatment. Local administrator Teshale Tilahun warned that the death toll could rise as rescue efforts continue. Worshippers at the St. Mary’s Orthodox Church which collapsed killing at least 36 worshippers. Atnafu Abate, a regional official, told the Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation (EBC) that some individuals remained trapped under the rubble, though details on ongoing rescue operations were not disclosed.
How did Ethiopian government react to the incident? As per EBC, the Ethiopian government expressed its deep sorrow over the loss of lives and the suffering of those injured. “We extend heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and wish a swift recovery to those receiving treatment,” the statement read. The government emphasised the importance of safety in Ethiopia’s ongoing construction efforts, which range from large-scale infrastructure projects to individual homes. It called for strict adherence to construction safety regulations and urged regular inspections of building sites to ensure compliance. “Safety must be a priority in all construction activities,” the statement continued. “We must ensure that every site upholds the principles of safe workmanship to prevent such tragedies.” The collapse left the community in mourning, with calls for a thorough investigation into the structural failure.
By Nancy Odindo
