Tragedy at Ethiopian Church: Scaffolding Collapse Kills Dozens
At least 36 people were killed and more than 200 injured on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, when makeshift scaffolding collapsed inside a partially constructed church in Ethiopia. The incident occurred during a religious festival at the Arerti St Mary's Church in Minjar Shenkora Woreda, North Shewa Zone of the Amhara Region.
Details of the Incident
The temporary wooden structure gave way under the weight of worshippers who had gathered to celebrate the annual Virgin Mary festival. According to local police chief Ahmed Gebeyehu, the collapse happened around 7:45 a.m. local time. Tadesse Tesfaye, a survivor, described the horrifying scene: "What caused the damage was when the scaffolding crumpled. It just crushed the people beneath. Some who were on the peripheries ran outside, but those in the middle perished."
The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFa) has expressed condolences to Ethiopia, showing solidarity after the tragic accident. Emergency services have indicated that the death toll could rise as some of the injured remain in critical condition. Some victims have been transferred to hospitals in Addis Ababa, approximately 70 kilometers away, for treatment.
Eyewitness Accounts and Aftermath
Gebreweld Tesfaye, an eyewitness, told the BBC that many worshippers climbed onto the scaffolding to view a newly painted mural when the structure failed. "The staircase was entirely wooden, and there were many people moving upstairs at the time. As the congregants were going, the wooden structure gave way, leading to the collapse," he recounted.
A day after the disaster, images showed victims' shoes and sandals scattered among broken masonry and snapped scaffolding poles. Fikre Tilahun, who lost his mother in the tragedy, shared his grief with the BBC: "It's difficult to lose your mother, very difficult." A mass funeral was held for the victims in the town of Arerti.
Government Response and Safety Concerns
The Ethiopian government has expressed condolences and emphasized the importance of safety in construction projects. However, reports indicate that health and safety regulations are poorly enforced in Ethiopia, making construction accidents common. Megabi Hadis Nekatibeb, the archbishop of the local diocese, called the disaster "incredibly tragic and heart-breaking."
The tragedy highlights the fragility of infrastructure in Ethiopia, a country with one of the world's oldest Christian communities, tracing its roots back to the Axumite Empire, which declared Christianity the state religion in the fourth century. Local administrator Teshale Tilahun described the incident as "a tragic loss for the community."
