JERUSALEM, September 23, 2017 (WAFA) – Stones from the roof of a small church adjacent to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem’s Old City fell on Friday without causing any harm to visitors, according to a church trustee.

Adeeb Joudeh Husseini, whose family is in charge of the key to the Holy Sepulcher, said that stones fell from the roof of a church used by the Ethiopian and Coptic communities after some 50 Ethiopian worshippers had finished prayers and left the area. He said the stones caused serious damage to the church but no injuries.

Israeli police rushed to the scene and closed off the area to keep away worshippers, pilgrims and tourists who daily visit in the thousands the Holy Sepulcher, the crucifixion and burial site of Jesus Christ.

The Holy Sepulcher was reopened shortly after, but the affected church remained closed until repairs are carried out to the ancient building.

The Holy Sepulcher’s rotunda and Edicule, the location of the Holy Tomb, recently underwent renovation to avoid their collapse.

M.K.