Addis Ababa — Makeshift scaffolding set up at a church in Ethiopia collapsed Wednesday, killing at least 36 people and injuring more than 200, state media said. The incident occurred at around 7:45 a.m. local time in the town of Arerti, about 40 miles east of capital Addis Ababa, when a group was visiting for an annual Virgin Mary festival.

District police chief Ahmed Gebeyehu told state media Fana: "The number of dead has reached 36 and could increase more", adding "more than 200 people have suffered injuries" and were receiving treatment at a local hospital.

Worshippers stand inside the Menjar Shenkora Arerti Mariam Church under construction that collapsed in Arerti, Amhara region of northern Ethiopia, on Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025. Samuel Getachew / AP

Some people remained under the

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