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Twenty-four hours after joyous religious observances, mass funerals were conducted in the small East African community of the local area for the 36 individuals killed when scaffolding inside an Orthodox Christian church buckled.

Hundreds grieving individuals walked with coffins covered in vibrant fabric into the grounds of a adjacent church while clerics performed burial ceremonies following the disaster at the local church.

Among the mourners was young adult a local resident, who explained that he had lost his mother in the tragedy.

"It's challenging to be separated from your mother, very difficult," he said.

Even though the church is still being built, worshippers had gathered in the structure on Wednesday during the annual religious celebration of St Mariam.

Observer Description of Incident

Firsthand observer a local man reported that a sizeable number of congregants chose to ascend onto the makeshift scaffolding to observe a recently completed artwork on the church ceiling when tragedy occurred.

"The access point was entirely made of wood, and there were many people climbing upward at the moment. As the worshippers were proceeding, the wooden structure collapsed, leading to the collapse," the witness stated.

Other observers said that chaos followed, as individuals scattered in fear or attempted to rescue the people of individuals pinned beneath the rubble.

Personal Tragedy

Mr Fikre explained that as soon as he heard of the disaster, he rushed to the church, and then to a medical facility to search for his parent, but she was not at either place.

"My cousin contacted me later. And then I went to the medical center. Her body was present," Mr Fikre said.

His mother was among the 36 dead, with emergency services indicating that the fatalities could increase as some of the injured, totaling approximately two hundred, were in critical condition. Some of them have been transferred to the capital, about 45 miles away, for treatment.

Leadership Reaction

The religious leader of the local religious district, Megabi Hadis Nekatibeb, described the tragedy as "incredibly tragic and heart-breaking".

Mr Fikre stated existence would not be the same for him and his younger brother without their mother.

"Our mother supported us by producing and marketing local beverage," he told.

The authorities offered its condolences to the family members of the deceased, and stated that "security must be emphasized" during every building undertakings.

Health and safety regulations are poorly implemented in the country and construction accidents are common.