Wayne Lumbasi
Tragedy struck northern Ethiopia when scaffolding at a church under construction gave way, killing at least 36 worshippers and injuring 200 others. The accident happened on Wednesday during a major religious festival at the Menjar Shenkora Arerti Mariam Church in the Amhara region.
Thousands had gathered for the annual celebration of the Virgin Mary, one of the most revered holy days in Ethiopia’s Orthodox Christian calendar. Witnesses say many worshippers had climbed onto the wooden scaffolding to get a better view of newly painted ceiling murals when the structure suddenly collapsed, sending dozens crashing to the ground.
Local hospitals were quickly overwhelmed as victims, including children and the elderly, were rushed in with severe injuries. Emergency workers, with help from the Red Cross, battled through the night to rescue survivors trapped in the wreckage. Officials have since warned that the death toll could rise as more critical patients remain in intensive care.
Government leaders have expressed deep condolences, promising an urgent investigation into the cause of the collapse. The disaster has also sparked public outrage over poor construction standards and the lack of safety measures at religious and public sites.
For Ethiopia’s Orthodox Christian community, among the oldest in the world, the loss is especially painful, turning what should have been a joyous festival into a national day of mourning.
As families bury their loved ones and the church community grieves, many are calling for stricter oversight of construction projects to prevent such tragedies in the future.
OTHER NEWS
ETHIOPIA’S ORTHODOX CHURCH CRITICIZES THE PM AMID TURMOIL
ETHIOPIA INTENSIFIES FIGHT AGAINST ILLEGAL SALE OF STOLEN RELICS
ETHIOPIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH ADVOCATES FOR PEACE IN TIGRAY
