UAE Affirms Solidarity with Ethiopia Over Church Collapse

The United Arab Emirates has extended its heartfelt condolences to Ethiopia following the deadly collapse of a scaffold inside a church under construction in the Amhara region, which left dozens dead and scores injured. The UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed deep sympathy with the families, the government, and the people of Ethiopia, and conveyed its wishes for a prompt recovery for all those affected.

The disaster occurred on 1 October at the Arerti Mariyam Church in Minjar Shenkora, North Shewa Zone, Amhara. Worshippers had gathered for a Marian festival when wooden scaffolding suddenly gave way under the crowd’s weight. Ethiopian police report at least 36 fatalities and more than 200 injured, with some in critical condition.

Witnesses described a sudden collapse that left many trapped under shattered beams and broken timber. One survivor recounted that those standing near the centre of the scaffold fell as it crumpled, while some on the periphery ran for cover. Local hospital officials, coordinating with the Red Cross and relief agencies, report ongoing triage and treatment, with fears that the death toll may rise as rescue operations continue.

In its formal statement, the UAE reiterated the importance of solidarity in the face of tragedy, and affirmed its support for Ethiopia’s efforts to care for victims and stabilise the affected community. The statement did not specify any material aid or deployment of resources.

Church leaders in Ethiopia have responded with unified messages of mourning. The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Ethiopia offered prayers in solidarity with the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, emphasising ecumenical unity amid grief. Cardinal Berhaneyesus Souraphiel expressed profound sorrow at the loss of life and extended condolences to the families and the church’s clergy.

Authorities in Ethiopia have launched a formal inquiry into the collapse. Preliminary investigations point to structural overloading and insufficient safety measures during the assembly of worshippers. Experts have called for stricter oversight of construction and crowd management in religious contexts across the region, noting that many rural structures are built with minimal regulation.

Diplomatic responses have come not only from the UAE. Several foreign governments and regional organisations have also expressed their condolences and support. The Ethiopian government has yet to reveal whether it will accept offers of international rescue or medical assistance. Meanwhile, local officials have called for improved safety protocols for religious gatherings, particularly in rapidly urbanising and infrastructurally fragile areas of Amhara.

The UAE’s gesture underscores its broader foreign policy posture of issuing public condolences and expressions of solidarity in global humanitarian crises, a pattern evident in past statements on natural disasters and conflicts. This diplomatic approach allows the UAE to maintain visibility and goodwill across diverse regions without immediate commitments to direct intervention.