Addis Ababa: A wave of grief has swept through Ethiopia after the collapse of scaffolding inside a historic Orthodox church killed at least 36 worshippers and left more than 200 injured during a sacred Marian feast. The Catholic Church in Ethiopia has joined hands with the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church in mourning the victims, offering prayers, and pledging solidarity in the face of the disaster.

The accident occurred on Wednesday morning at Ararti Debre Genet St. Mary’s Church, located in the North Shewa Diocese of Minjar Shenkor. The faithful had gathered in large numbers to mark the annual celebration dedicated to the Virgin Mary when the wooden scaffolding, erected as part of ongoing construction works, suddenly gave way.

Cardinal Berhaneyesus Demerew Souraphiel, Metropolitan

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