In Ethiopia’s Amhara Region, at least 36 people died and over 200 others were hurt after a scaffolding structure collapsed during a church event in Arerti on Wednesday morning.
The wooden platform had been erected for church construction work and failed around 7:45 a.m. while hundreds gathered to celebrate.
The collapse happened during the annual religious gathering, causing panic and trapping many worshippers under heavy debris. Rescue teams arrived quickly, but efforts were slowed due to the scale of the collapse.
Emergency services continued working late into the evening to reach those still stuck beneath the rubble. Health officials say the wounded, some critically injured, are receiving treatment at local clinics and hospitals. Authorities fear the death toll could climb higher.
The cause of the structural failure is not yet confirmed, and investigations are underway.
