This photo shows the site of a wooden scaffolding collapse in the town of Arerti, North Shewa Zone in Ethiopia's Amhara Region, Oct. 1, 2025. The death toll from a wooden scaffolding collapse in Ethiopia's Amhara Region has risen to 36, local officials said on Wednesday. (North Shewa Zone health department in Ethiopia's Amhara Region/Handout via Xinhua)
ADDIS ABABA, Oct. 1 (Xinhua) -- The death toll from a wooden scaffolding collapse in Ethiopia's Amhara Region has risen to 36, local officials said on Wednesday.
The accident occurred around 7:45 a.m. local time on Wednesday during an annual church celebration in the town of Arerti, North Shewa Zone, when a makeshift wooden scaffolding used for finishing work on a church gave way, state-affiliated Fana Broadcasting Corporation quoted district police chief Ahmed Gebeyehu as saying.
Police said the death toll could rise further as more than 200 people sustained serious and minor injuries. The injured are receiving medical treatment at nearby health facilities.
The collapse caused significant damage, trapping many worshippers beneath the debris and complicating rescue efforts, it was noted, adding that emergency operations are continuing to free those still trapped. ■
