Ethiopia Church Scaffold Collapse Kills 36 Injures 200 During Marian Feast

At least 36 people were killed and more than 200 injured when wooden scaffolding collapsed at the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, Ararti Mariam Church, in the Amhara region during an annual Marian feast. Thousands of worshippers had gathered for the celebration, and many had climbed the scaffolding to view a ceiling mural when it suddenly gave way, causing panic and chaos. Eyewitness accounts describe the collapse as loud and terrifying, with victims falling from the ceiling. Local authorities and emergency responders are continuing rescue operations, with some victims still trapped under the rubble and the death toll expected to rise. The Ethiopian government expressed deep condolences and emphasized the importance of prioritizing safety in construction projects, amid concerns about poorly enforced health and safety regulations in the country. Religious leaders, including Cardinal Berhaneyesus Souraphiel of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Ethiopia, have offered prayers and solidarity with the Ethiopian Orthodox Church and the families affected by this tragic event.