3 killed in dais collapse during Ethiopia ceremony

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AA) – Three people have reportedly been killed after a dais collapsed during annual epiphany celebration in northern Ethiopia on Monday.

Many others have been injured in the incident that took place in Gondar city in the Amhara state, according to sources, who spoke to Anadolu Agency on the condition of anonymity.

The injured have been taken to nearby hospitals as casualties are feared to rise.

The Ethiopian Epiphany celebration, knowns as Timkat, was registered by UNESCO as Intangible World Heritage just at the end of 2019.

Epiphany is a two-day celebration in Ethiopia as on the eve Holy Tablets (Tabots) are carried out from Churches to pitch overnight at tents.

On the Day of Epiphany, Holy water is sprinkled on the laity by the clergy and the Holy Tablets are returned to their respective churches with crowds singing spiritual songs following in solemn procession.

The celebration is also a social cultural event where young unmarried people go out in their best clothes, both boys and girls, in search for future lovers.

Raw meat, honey wine, hot chicken stew called "doro wot" and homemade bread are traditional treats.