A devastating accident occurred at the Arerti Mariam church in Ethiopia’s central Minjar Sheknora area, where scaffolding collapsed during the annual Orthodox Christian celebration of St Mary, resulting in at least 36 deaths and over 200 injuries.
Thousands of worshippers had gathered at the church when the structure fell, with local police inspector Ahmed Gebeyehu confirming the death toll could rise further.
The government expressed deep condolences and emphasized the importance of prioritizing safety in construction projects, highlighting the need for better enforcement of health and safety regulations in Ethiopia, where construction disasters are alarmingly common.
The incident raises concerns about possible causes such as poor assembly, overloading, or weak ground support, and underscores the importance of proper safety measures, including trained personnel, regular inspections, and stable foundations, to prevent such tragedies in the future.
