Tragedy at Ethiopian Festival: Scaffolding Collapse Claims Lives

A tragic accident struck a religious festival in central Ethiopia, claiming the lives of at least 36 people. The accident occurred when temporary wooden scaffolding collapsed under worshippers inside the partially built Arerti St Mary's Church in the Minjar Shenkora Woreda area, according to police reports and survivor testimonies.

Local police chief Ahmed Gebeyehu shared that more than 200 people were injured, with some remaining in critical condition. Survivor Tadesse Tesfaye described the horrific scene, noting that those at the peripheries managed to escape while those caught in the center faced fatal consequences.

The day following the incident, a scene of devastation was visible with personal belongings like shoes and sandals strewn about alongside broken masonry and twisted scaffolding poles. Despite the chaos, the freshly painted church dome stood, overshadowed by the grim reminder of the tragedy beneath.

(With inputs from agencies.)