Ethiopia

At Least 36 Killed in Ethiopian Church Collapse

Published OCT 2 2025

Story

Above: The aftermath of collapsed scaffolding at the Areti Mariam Church in Arerti, Ethiopia, on Oct. 1, 2025. Image credit: Samuel Getachew/picture alliance/Getty Images

The Facts

At least 36 worshipers were killed and upwards of 200 were injured after the wooden scaffolding of a church in Ethiopia collapsed on Wednesday.
Al Jazeera
TRT World
The incident occurred at approximately 7:45 a.m. local time in the town of Arerti, located roughly 43 miles (70 kilometers) east of the capital, Addis Ababa.
Daily Sabah
Apa.az
It came as hundreds of pilgrims attended an annual celebration of the Virgin Mary at the Arerti Mariam Church, located in the Minjar Sheknora district of the town.
BBC News
Al Jazeera
District police chief Ahmed Gebeyehu told state media Fana: "The number of dead has reached 36 and could increase more." He added: "More than 200 people have suffered injuries," and that they were receiving treatment at a local hospital.
Daily Sabah
Apa.az
Images posted by the Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation on social media appeared to show several people scaling the church's exterior scaffolding in an attempt to hoist a cross. Others showed a mess of tangled poles in what seemed to be the aftermath.
Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation

Sources Split

LEFT

CENTER

RIGHT

ESTAB
CRIT

CENTER

PRO
ESTAB

The Spin

Narrative A

While heartfelt condolences go out to the families of the victims of this tragic incident, moving forward, all existing safety regulations at construction sites will be strictly enforced to prevent such tragedies from occurring again.

Narrative B

Despite being Africa's second-most populous nation, Ethiopia has virtually no comprehensive health and safety regulations in place. As a result, accidents like this are tragically common and occur with alarming frequency.

Daily Sabah