A Catholic priest in Ecuador has died after a large wooden crucifix mounted behind the altar fell on him during a livestreamed Mass.
The incident occurred on Saturday at the Perpetuo Socorro Church in Guayaquil, the country’s largest city.
Shocking video footage shows the moment Father Patricio Alfredo Sánchez Molinari was crushed by the huge cross as he addressed parishioners in church and those watching via live stream.
About 30 minutes into the Mass, the heavy wooden crucifix mounted on the wall above the altar suddenly detached and fell directly on top of him.
“Father, Father… call an ambulance,” a female member of the congregation was heard screaming in the video, as more worshippers cried out for help while the live broadcast continued on social media.
Emergency services were immediately called to the Perpetuo Socorro Church, but the priest was later declared dead the same day.
Confirming his death, the church said in a statement: “We announce that our beloved Father Patricio Alfredo Sánchez Molinari, who served as parish priest of the Perpetual Help church in the Central Vicariate, has departed to the Father’s House to enjoy His presence and His glory.”
Father Sánchez belonged to the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, a Roman Catholic religious order founded in 1732 with presence in 80 countries.
It remains unclear what caused the heavy crucifix to fall from the wall, and church officials are yet to provide a public explanation for the incident.