Borkena
Toronto – At least 30 people are reportedly killed in Minjar Shenkora after a structure used for church construction collapsed.
The accident occurred at Arerti Mariyam Church when a wooden structure used for construction collapsed to the church. Borkena reached out to the district police to confirm the story.
Ahmed Gebeyehu, Minjar District Police Commander, told borkena over the phone that 30 people have been killed in the accident. He indicated that the number could rise as there are those taken to hospital – apparently in a serious condition.
Police dismissed the report that the number of people killed in the accident is 36.
“The information that 36 people were killed is incorrect. From the information we have so far 30 people died and more than 200 are injured. The number of deaths could rise,” he stated.
Over 70 are reportedly in hospital – many in critical condition. Arerti town hospital has confirmed that over 70 patients are getting medical support and six are referred to hospitals in Addis Ababa.
Borkena reporter in Addis Ababa reached out to the North Shoa Diocese of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church to see if they had received accurate figures of casualties. “Some say 20. Some say 35. The correct number is unverified yet,” the Diocese told Borkena.
“We are still gathering the information. It is not verified yet; we will make it public as soon as we finalize it,” a staff from the diocese added.
According to the police commander, the wooden structure used in the construction carried over capacity as people wanted to check out the progress of the construction. It appears no safety measure was in place.
Ethiopian Orthodox Church figures and opposition parties are expressing condolences over the tragic accident.
His Eminence Abune Kelementos, Archbishop of the North Shoa Dioceses, is cited as saying “The grief is not just to Arerti Debre Genet Mariam Church, priests and the laity from the town; it is a grief for all Orthodox Church followers.”
Abune Kelementos added ” We are deeply saddened that the accident happened at a time we are expecting the completion and inauguration of the church.”
Coalition For Ethiopian Unity ( a new coalition of five opposition parties) has confirmed the accident and expressed condolences.
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It is heartbreaking to see such magnitude of human causality and suffering.
May their souls find peace and joy in Your heavenly kingdom. Amen!!!
Revelation 14:13 “Then I heard a voice from heaven say, ‘Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’ ‘Yes,’ says the Spirit, ‘they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them.’”
May all wounded feel God’s presence with each step toward recovery. Amen!!!
Jeremiah 30:17: “I will restore you to health and heal your wounds.”
In almost every developing nations scaffolds are made of tree limbs during the construction of high rise buildings. They are not as strong as steel platforms and they are susceptible to snap taking down those standing or walking on them. That is why accidental deaths of construction workers and inspectors are common in such countries. It is a tragedy that could have been avoided or at least minimized if the scaffolds are made of steel.
There is another potential disaster that has been worrying me all along. High rise buildings are being built at a lightening speed in the capital and other major cities in that country. I hope they are being built to the international safety standards. Otherwise, all it takes is some loose or weak joints/bolts. We hear all the time from Bangladesh, Indonesia, The Philippines, Nigeria and other developing nations including the commies-run Mainland China. Also, Addis/Finfinne is not too far from the seismic active Awash-Fentale.
May all the deceased rest in eternal peace!