• At least 36 people confirmed dead in church scaffolding collapse in Ethiopia.
• More than 200 individuals sustained injuries, with several in critical condition.
• The incident occurred during the annual Virgin Mary festival in Arerti.
• Many worshippers were gathered to observe ceiling artwork when the accident happened.
• Health and safety regulations in Ethiopia are severely lacking, leading to frequent construction incidents.

Makeshift scaffolding at a church in Ethiopia collapsed on October 1, killing at least 36 people and injuring over 200 during a religious festival. The incident occurred around 7:45 AM local time in Arerti, approximately 70 kilometers east of Addis Ababa, as worshippers gathered for the annual Virgin Mary festival, according to TRT Global and Le Monde.

District police chief Ahmed Gebeyehu confirmed that the number of dead could increase, noting that many individuals remain trapped under debris. He stated, "More than 200 people have suffered injuries," with several taken to hospitals in the capital for treatment, as reported by BBC and CBS News.

The victims' age ranged widely, and some were critically injured, with reports suggesting that many had climbed the scaffolding to view ceiling murals when it collapsed. Eyewitness Mikias Mebratu described the chaos: "We all had gathered in prayers when all of a sudden the scaffolding collapsed," as noted by Africa News and Reuters.

A government statement expressed condolences and emphasized the need for improved safety measures in construction, highlighting that "safety must be given priority," according to Al Jazeera and South China Morning Post. Ethiopia lacks rigorous health and safety regulations, contributing to the frequency of construction-related accidents.