A religious celebration in Ethiopia turned into a devastating tragedy after a wooden scaffolding structure collapsed inside a church under construction, killing at least 36 worshippers and injuring more than 200 others.
The disaster occurred on the morning of October 1, 2025, at the Menjar Shenkora Arerti Mariam Church in Ethiopia’s Amhara region, approximately 70 kilometers east of Addis Ababa. Thousands of faithful had gathered for the annual Virgin Mary festival, one of the most significant events observed by the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church.
Celebration Turns Into Chaos
Witnesses said the collapse happened shortly after 7:45 a.m. local time while prayers were underway inside the church. Many worshippers had climbed onto wooden scaffolding that workers were using to paint ceilings and complete religious artwork inside the unfinished structure.
As the crowd grew, the temporary platform reportedly gave way under the weight of those standing on it.
Survivors described scenes of panic and confusion as people fell from the elevated structure and others were trapped beneath collapsing timber.
“We were praying when everything suddenly came crashing down,” one survivor said. “People were screaming and trying to escape. Many were crushed before anyone could help them.”
Rescue Teams Search Through Debris
Local authorities confirmed that at least 36 people lost their lives, while rescue operations continued in the hours following the collapse.
Police chief Ahmed Gebeyehu said officials feared the death toll could increase as emergency workers searched for additional victims trapped beneath the wreckage.
More than 200 people suffered injuries, including children and elderly worshippers who had attended the festival. Medical teams rushed survivors to nearby healthcare facilities, while the most critically injured were transported to hospitals in Addis Ababa for advanced treatment.
Emergency responders worked throughout the day to clear debris and assist families searching for loved ones.
Community Grieves After Deadly Festival Disaster
The tragedy has left the local community in mourning. Families gathered outside hospitals and churches seeking information about relatives as religious leaders offered prayers for the victims.
Local administrator Teshale Tilahun described the incident as a heartbreaking loss for both the community and the church.
Government officials extended condolences to grieving families, while leaders of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church called for nationwide prayers in memory of those who died and for the recovery of the injured.
Safety Concerns Return to the Spotlight
The collapse has renewed concerns about construction safety standards in Ethiopia, particularly in rural areas where temporary structures are frequently erected for large religious gatherings and public events.
Experts note that limited oversight, inadequate engineering supervision, and the use of temporary wooden platforms can create dangerous conditions when large crowds gather.
Residents familiar with the construction project questioned whether sufficient safety inspections had been conducted before worshippers were allowed onto the scaffolding.
“This was preventable,” one local resident said. “People died because basic safety measures were not taken seriously.”
Investigation Expected
Authorities are expected to investigate the cause of the collapse and determine whether negligence or safety violations contributed to the disaster.
As rescue efforts continue and families mourn their losses, the tragedy stands as one of the deadliest church-related accidents in recent Ethiopian history, raising urgent questions about public safety at large religious events across the country.
