- The religious ceremony turned out to be a bad tragedy, leaving the community worried after a sudden death of at least 36 people
- The witnesses expressed chaos and fear while recounting what had happened before and after the tragic event
- Local officials warned that the number of deaths could increase as several others were left under rubble, while the government memorized the need to ensure security in construction sites
At least 36 people have died and more than 200 others have been injured after a start -up church in an ongoing church in Ethiopia on Wednesday morning, October 1.
Source: Facebook
The incident took place at 7:45 am at the Arerti Mariam church in Minjar Sheknora district, approximately 70 kilometers from the capital, Addis Ababa.
What led to the collapse of the church in Ethiopia?
Al Jazeera reported that thousands of worshipers had gathered for the annual celebration of the Orthodox Christians of St. Mary when the structure stopped.
According to local police inspector Ahmed Gebeyehu, many attendees had climbed a wooden frame to watch the ceiling wall suddenly collapsed.
Eyewitnesses described the incident as chaotic and scary.
“A large part of the church collapsed-the voice of the timber building was being made was great and scary,” One witness said.
Mikias Mebratu, who lost three friends in the tragedy, told CNN: ‘We were all gathered in prayer when the platform collapsed and people began to fall from the ceiling.’
Emergency ministers fled to the scene, with seriously injured victims being transferred to Addis Ababa hospitals for advanced treatment.
Local supervisor Teshale Tilahun warned that the number of deaths may increase as rescue efforts continue.
Source: Facebook
Atnafu Abate, a local official, told the Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation (EBC) that some people were left under the rubble, although details of ongoing rescue operations have not been revealed.
How did the Ethiopian government take the incident?
According to the EBC, the Ethiopian government expressed its deep sadness over the loss of the life and suffering of the injured.
“We send condolences to the victims’ families and we wish the immediate recovery of those who receive treatment,” The statement said.
The government emphasized the importance of security in the ongoing construction efforts of Ethiopia, which are among the major infrastructure projects to private homes.
It called for a strict adherence to the construction safety regulations and encouraged regular inspection of construction sites to ensure adherence.
“Security must be a priority in all construction activities,” the statement continued. “We must make sure that each site adheres to the principles of safe formulation to prevent disasters like these.”
The collapse left the community in mourning, with a call for a thorough investigation into the failure of the structure.
An armed man attacks the church and kills 4 believers
Elsewhere, at least four people were killed and eight others injured in a fierce attack on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter -day Saints in the Grand Blanc suburb in Michigan.
The suspect is said to have drove his car to the building, shooting the believers with a war gun and burning the church.
The attacker was later shot and killed by officers in response. Investigators confirmed that at least two deaths were due to gunshot wounds, and the children were among the injured in the attack.
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