At least 25 people have been confirmed dead after a church under construction collapsed during a religious gathering in Ethiopia’s Amhara regio on Wednesday, according to local officials.
The collapse occurred at the Menjar Shenkora Arerti Mariam Church, where worshippers had gathered to celebrate the annual St. Mary feast.
Seyoum Altaye, a clinician at a nearby hospital, reported that the victims include children and elderly worshippers.
“So far, we have confirmed 25 dead and over 100 injured,” Seyoum said, adding that emergency personnel are seeking additional support from the Red Cross to manage the influx of casualties.
Teshale Tilahun, the local administrator, described the event as a “tragic loss for the community” and cautioned that the death toll may rise as rescue operations continue.
Emergency services and volunteers remain on the scene, searching for possible survivors amid the debris.
