Ethiopia Church Collapse Leaves at Least 25 Dead and Over 100 Injured
A tragic accident struck Ethiopia’s Amhara region on Wednesday morning when a church under construction collapsed during a religious gathering, killing at least 25 worshippers and injuring more than 100 others, according to local officials.
The incident occurred at the Menjar Shenkora Arerti Mariam Church in northern Ethiopia’s Amhara state. The collapse happened as worshippers were gathered for an annual religious event dedicated to St. Mary, a day that typically draws large crowds of believers from across the community.
Worshippers Trapped as Structure Gives Way
Eyewitnesses described a sudden and devastating collapse as the unfinished structure crumbled with hundreds inside and around the building. Emergency responders rushed to the scene, working tirelessly to rescue survivors trapped under the rubble.
Dr. Seyoum Altaye, a clinician at a nearby hospital treating the victims, confirmed the grim toll.
“So far, we have confirmed 25 deaths, including children and elderly people, and more than 100 others have sustained injuries,” he said.
Medical teams are now appealing for urgent assistance. The hospital, already overwhelmed by the influx of injured, has sought support from the Ethiopian Red Cross and other relief organizations to provide emergency care and critical supplies.
Local Officials Warn Toll Could Rise
Teshale Tilahun, a local government administrator in the region, warned that the number of victims could increase as rescue and recovery operations continue.
“It is a tragic loss for the community. We are still working with rescue teams to determine the full extent of the casualties,” Tilahun said.
The collapse has left the community in shock, with grieving families gathering outside hospitals and at the site of the tragedy. Witnesses reported scenes of chaos as survivors and volunteers worked alongside emergency workers to pull people from the wreckage.
Annual Celebration Turns Into Mourning
The collapse took place during one of the most significant religious events in the Ethiopian Orthodox calendar — a day honoring St. Mary, who holds deep spiritual importance for millions of Ethiopian Christians.
For many, the annual gathering at Menjar Shenkora Arerti Mariam Church is a moment of joy, prayer, and unity. This year, however, it turned into one of the darkest days the community has experienced, as what was meant to be a celebration of faith ended in devastating loss.
Rescue Efforts Underway
Authorities have launched an urgent rescue operation, with teams working around the clock to clear debris and search for survivors. Local media reported that heavy equipment, including excavators, has been deployed to aid in removing the rubble, but the fragile state of the partially built structure has complicated efforts.
Officials have appealed for blood donations and medical supplies, as many of the injured are in critical condition and require urgent surgery.
The Ethiopian Red Cross has been mobilized to provide relief support, including temporary shelters for families affected by the collapse and psychological counseling for survivors who witnessed the horrific incident.
Safety Concerns Raised
The tragedy has raised serious questions about construction safety standards in Ethiopia, particularly when it comes to public and religious buildings that regularly host large gatherings.
Some local commentators have called for stricter enforcement of building regulations to prevent similar disasters in the future. Concerns have been growing in recent years about the quality of construction in certain rural areas, where oversight is limited, and building projects may rely on community funding and unregulated contractors.
A Reminder of Other Church Disasters
This is not the first time a church collapse has claimed lives in recent history. In 2016, at least 160 people were killed and dozens more injured in Nigeria when the roof of the Reigners Bible Church in Uyo collapsed during a bishop’s ordination ceremony. More recently, similar accidents have been reported in other parts of Africa and Asia, often linked to overcrowding and poor construction standards.
The Ethiopian tragedy now joins this list of painful reminders of how faith gatherings, intended as places of hope and spirituality, can sometimes end in heartbreak when safety is compromised.
National Mourning and Community Response
As word of the disaster spread, condolences poured in from across Ethiopia. Religious leaders of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church expressed deep sorrow and called for prayers for the victims and their families.
Local communities have also mobilized, offering food, shelter, and support to the families of those injured or killed. Social media has been flooded with messages of solidarity, with many Ethiopians urging the government to ensure accountability and improve safety measures for public buildings.
Government Pledges Investigation
The Ethiopian government has vowed to investigate the causes of the collapse. While initial reports suggest structural weaknesses in the under-construction church, officials say a full technical assessment will be carried out to identify what went wrong and who may be responsible.
The tragedy comes at a difficult time for Ethiopia, which has faced a series of challenges in recent years, including political unrest, conflict in the Tigray region, and ongoing humanitarian crises. This disaster has further deepened the sense of grief and hardship in the country.
Looking Ahead
For the people of Menjar Shenkora and the wider Amhara region, the collapse of the church is not only a personal loss but also a blow to a community deeply rooted in faith and tradition.
Funeral preparations are already underway for many of the victims, while families continue to wait for news of loved ones still missing.
As Ethiopia mourns, many are calling for urgent reforms in construction safety and stronger support systems for disaster response to prevent another tragedy of this scale.