A devastating tragedy struck Ethiopia this week when a temporary wooden scaffolding collapsed inside St Mary Orthodox Church in Arerti, Minjar Shenkora Woreda, Amhara Region. The disaster, which occurred on Wednesday, October 2, 2025, during a religious festival, has claimed the lives of at least 36 worshippers and left more than 200 others injured.
The incident unfolded as hundreds of faithful gathered at the partially constructed church for a special ceremony in honor of St Mary. According to local authorities, the wooden structure had been erected as a support platform, but it gave way under the immense weight of people who climbed onto it to get a better view of the celebrations.
Eyewitness Accounts of Horror
Survivors described scenes of chaos and panic as the scaffolding suddenly crumpled. Tadesse Tesfaye, one of the attendees, said worshippers in the middle of the structure were trapped and crushed beneath the falling beams.
“What caused the damage was when the scaffolding crumpled. It just crushed the people beneath. Some who were on the peripheries ran outside, but those in the middle perished,” Tesfaye explained with visible distress.
Authorities rushed to the scene immediately, with police, emergency services, and volunteers joining in rescue efforts. However, the scale of the collapse made recovery difficult. By Thursday, the aftermath was still visible: piles of shoes and sandals belonging to victims, broken masonry, and the snapped wooden poles of the scaffold scattered across the church grounds.
Authorities Warn of Rising Death Toll
Local police chief Ahmed Gebeyehu confirmed the death toll at 36 but warned that the number may rise, as many of the injured remain in critical condition. Hospitals across the region have been overwhelmed with casualties, with medical staff working tirelessly to provide care to those suffering severe injuries.
“The situation is dire,” Gebeyehu told Fana Broadcasting. “We have transferred several patients to referral hospitals for urgent treatment. Families are grieving, and the community is in shock.”
Community Mourning and Funeral Processions
On Thursday, heart-wrenching funeral ceremonies began for the victims. Images captured pallbearers carrying coffins of men, women, and children who lost their lives in the tragedy. The funerals drew large crowds of mourners, underscoring the deep sorrow felt across the community.
The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, one of the world’s oldest Christian denominations, expressed its condolences to the families of the victims and called for prayers for the injured.
Questions Over Safety and Accountability
As grief grips the Amhara Region, questions are being raised about the safety of temporary structures used in public religious gatherings. Critics argue that poor construction standards and the absence of safety inspections contributed to the collapse. Community leaders and civil society groups are urging the government to launch a thorough investigation to determine accountability and prevent similar tragedies in the future.
This is not the first time Ethiopia has witnessed deadly accidents linked to overcrowding and poor safety enforcement at mass gatherings. Earlier this year, dozens were killed in a bus crash, and in recent years, similar incidents have raised concerns about public safety during major events.
A Nation in Shock
The scaffolding collapse at St Mary’s Church is now one of the deadliest religious-related accidents in Ethiopia’s recent history. For the families of the victims, the tragedy has left a permanent scar. For the nation, it serves as a sobering reminder of the urgent need to prioritize safety in places of worship and public gatherings.
As Ethiopia mourns, the government and church leaders face growing pressure to ensure that such a disaster never happens again.
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