Officials say at least 30 people died and more than 200 others were wounded after the crumbs collapsed in a church in central Ethiopia.

The accident occurred early on Thursday at Errti Mariam Church in Minjar Sheknora, about 70 km (45 miles) from the capital, Addis Ababa, during an annual Christian Orthodox celebration.

Thousands of worshipers gathered on the site when the structure gave the road.

The local police inspector, Ahmed Jabho BBC, told Americ that the death toll may rise, as the victims ranged between 25 and 80 years.

Rescue operations continue, as local authorities stated that some people remain trapped under the rubble.

Eyewitnesses described a scene of panic and confusion with the fall of scaffolding. “A large part of the church has collapsed – the sound of the wooden structure gave the field high and frightening,” One of the attendees said.

The victims with severe hospitals in Addis Ababa have been transferred for treatment.

In a statement broadcast on the government media, the Ethiopian government expressed “its deep condolences for the damage caused by the collapse of the scaffolding” and said that priority should be given in construction projects.

Repeated construction accidents in Ethiopia, where health and safety regulations are often applied.