In Ethiopia, at least 25 people were killed when a church under construction collapsed in Amhara region today. The tragedy occurred at Menjar Shenkora Arerti Mariam Church during an annual St. Mary celebration, where many worshippers had gathered. Local authorities reported that children and elderly individuals were among the dead.
More than 100 people were also injured. Local officials are continuing rescue operations, warning that the death toll may rise. Authorities are investigating the cause of the collapse as recovery efforts continue in the area.
The incident happened early on Wednesday (October 1) at Menjar Shenkora Arerti Mariam Church in Amhara, northern Ethiopia, as worshippers gathered for an annual event celebrating St. Mary.
District Police Chief, Ahmed Gebeyehu, told state media Fana: “The number of dead has reached 36 and could increase more”, adding “more than 200 people have suffered injuries” and were receiving treatment at a local hospital.
Some people remained under the rubble, local official Atnafu Abate told the Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation (EBC), without giving further details about those trapped or possible rescue efforts.
He said some of the more seriously hurt were taken to hospitals in the capital.
Images shared on the ECB’s official Facebook page showed a mess of collapsed wooden poles, with crowds gathering amid the dense debris.
Other pictures appeared to show the outside of the church where scaffolding had been precariously constructed.
A government statement shared by ECB expressed condolences, and added that “safety must be given priority”. Health and safety regulations are virtually non-existent in Ethiopia, Africa’s second most populous nation, and construction accidents are common.
The sprawling country is a mosaic of 80 ethnic groups and has one of the world’s oldest Christian communities. Its predecessor, the Axumite Empire, declared Christianity the state religion in the fourth century.
Teshale Tilahun, the local administrator, warned that the death toll could potentially rise. “It is a tragic loss for the community,” he said.
Seyoum Altaye, a clinician with a local hospital, said the victims include some children and elderly people. “So far we have confirmed 25 dead and over a hundred injured,” he said.
He said the hospital is seeking support from the Red Cross to look after the injured.
Teshale Tilahun, the local administrator, warned that the death toll could potentially rise. “It is a tragic loss for the community,” he said.
He said the hospital is seeking support from the Red Cross to look after the injured.
Teshale Tilahun, the local administrator, warned that the death toll could potentially rise. “It is a tragic loss for the community,” he said.