At least 30 die after Ethiopia church scaffolding falls

Tragedy strikes St Mary celebration as safety concerns rise

At least 30 people have lost their lives and more than 200 others have been injured after scaffolding collapsed during a religious celebration at the Arerti Mariam church in Ethiopia. The disaster occurred in the early hours of the morning when thousands of Orthodox Christian worshippers gathered to mark the annual feast of St Mary.

Gathering Turns Into Tragedy
Inspector Ahmed Gebeyehu of the local police confirmed the figures and warned that the death toll may rise as rescue operations continue. He explained that those who died were between the ages of 25 and 80. Eyewitnesses described the horrifying sound of the wooden structure collapsing, followed by panic and screams as the crowd rushed for safety.

Religious Celebration Interrupted
The faithful had traveled to the Minjar Sheknora area, in central Ethiopia, to honor the Orthodox Church’s annual commemoration of St Mary. What was supposed to be a moment of prayer and community quickly turned into chaos and mourning, with dozens crushed beneath the falling scaffolding.

Government Expresses Condolences
A statement issued by the Ethiopian government, and broadcast through the state-run Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation (EBC), expressed “deep condolences for the damage caused by the collapse.” Officials stressed the importance of prioritizing safety in all construction projects, especially those involving large gatherings of people.

Health and Safety Concerns
The incident has once again highlighted Ethiopia’s poor enforcement of health and safety regulations. Construction disasters are frequent in the country, where oversight and adherence to building codes are often minimal. Critics argue that authorities must now take urgent action to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

Victims and Survivors
The victims ranged widely in age, with entire families affected by the disaster. Survivors spoke of narrowly escaping death as the structure gave way without warning. Many were left with serious injuries, and hospitals in the region are overwhelmed with patients needing urgent medical care.

Eyewitness Accounts of Horror
One worshipper told reporters that the sound of the collapsing structure was “loud and terrifying,” sending shockwaves through the crowd. The witness said worshippers were trapped under heavy wooden beams as others desperately tried to pull them out. The rescue efforts were hindered by the sheer number of people present at the site.

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Emergency Response Efforts
Local police, medical teams, and volunteers worked quickly to rescue those trapped. Dozens of ambulances transported the injured to nearby hospitals. However, the chaotic nature of the collapse and the limited availability of emergency resources in rural Ethiopia complicated efforts to save lives.

National Mourning and Calls for Action
The collapse has sparked nationwide grief. Religious leaders and government officials have urged calm and called for prayers for the victims. Many Ethiopians are also demanding stricter building inspections and tougher penalties for construction firms that neglect safety standards.

Recurring Pattern of Disasters
Ethiopia has seen multiple construction-related tragedies in recent years, often due to weak regulation and poor-quality materials. The Arerti Mariam church collapse underscores the urgent need for reforms in the country’s construction and safety systems, particularly in spaces meant to accommodate large gatherings.

Faith and Resilience Amid Loss
Despite the heavy loss, worshippers expressed determination to continue honoring St Mary’s day in future years. For many, the tragedy is a painful reminder of the fragility of life but also a call for faith, solidarity, and the pursuit of justice for those lost.

A Nation in Mourning
The Ethiopian government is expected to hold national prayers and memorials in the coming days. Families of victims are preparing burials, while hospitals continue to treat the injured. The collapse has left a deep wound on Ethiopia’s religious and national community, raising urgent questions about safety and accountability.

 

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