Ethiopian Church Scaffold Collapse Kills at Least 30

At least 30 individuals have lost their lives, and over 200 others have sustained injuries after a scaffold collapsed at a church in Ethiopia.

A large number of worshippers were present at the Arerti Mariam church early in the morning when the structure collapsed, according to local police inspector Ahmed Gebeyehu, who spoke with BBC Amharic.

The attendees had gathered at the church, located in the central Minjar Sheknora region, approximately 70 kilometres (45 miles) from Addis Ababa, as part of the yearly Orthodox Christian observance of St Mary.

Ethiopian Church Scaffold Collapse Kills at Least 30. Credit: People.com

Reports indicated that the death toll could rise, noting that those confirmed dead ranged in age from 25 to 80, as several individuals remain trapped beneath the debris, and rescue efforts are currently in progress.

Witnesses described the scene as chaotic, with participants fleeing in panic to protect themselves. Some of the critically injured patients have been transported to Addis Ababa for medical care.

A government announcement released by the state-run Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation (EBC) conveyed “deep condolences for the damage caused by the scaffolding collapse.”

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