Makeshift scaffolding set up at a church in Ethiopia collapsed Wednesday, killing at least 36 people and injuring more than 200, state media said.
The incident occurred at around 7:45 am in the town of Arerti, roughly 70 kilometres (40 miles) east of capital Addis Ababa, when a group was visiting for an annual Virgin Mary festival.
District police chief Ahmed Gebeyehu told state media Fana: “The number of dead has reached 36 and could increase more”, adding “more than 200 people have suffered injuries” and were receiving treatment at a local hospital.