36 Killed, Over 200 Injured As Under-Construction Church Collapses In Ethiopia

Last Updated:October 02, 2025, 01:24 IST

The incident happened early on Wednesday at Menjar Shenkora Arerti Mariam Church in Amhara, northern Ethiopia, as worshippers gathered for an annual event celebrating St. Mary.

The incident took place at around 7:45 am in the town of Arerti town, roughly 70 kilometres east of capital Addis Ababa.

At least 36 people were killed and left more than 200 injured when an under-construction church collapsed on Wednesday in Ethiopia’s Amhara.

According to a report by Associated Press, the incident happened early on Wednesday at Menjar Shenkora Arerti Mariam Church in Amhara, northern Ethiopia, as worshippers gathered for an annual event celebrating St. Mary.

State media Fana quoted District Police Chief as saying that “the number of dead has reached 36 and could increase more,” and added that “more than 200 people”.

The incident took place at around 7:45 am in the town of Arerti town, roughly 70 kilometres east of capital Addis Ababa.

Al Arabiya reported images on the ECB’s official Facebook page as saying that they showed a mess of collapsed wooden poles, with crowds gathering amid the dense debris.

AFP quoted local official Atnafu Abate as saying that some people remained under the rubble and some of the more seriously hurt were taken to hospitals in the capital.

A government statement shared by ECB expressed condolences, and added that “safety must be given priority”.

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