A religious ceremony ended in a tragedy as unexpected as it was shocking in Guayaquil, Ecuador. A priest died after an enormous wooden cross came loose from the wall and fell directly onto his head.
The victim was identified as Patricio Alfredo Sánchez Molinari, parish priest of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church and a member of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer.
The accident occurred on October 17, 2026, while the priest was celebrating a Mass that was also being livestreamed on social media.
About 27 minutes after the ceremony began, the cross bearing the figure of Jesus Christ suddenly came loose from the wall behind the altar.
The heavy structure fell on the priest as the faithful gathered in the church looked on.
Those in attendance reacted in desperation and rushed over to try to help him, but the priest died.
The Archdiocese of Guayaquil confirmed his death and expressed its condolences to his family and the religious community.
So far, it is unknown what caused the cross to come loose, while images of the accident continue to cause shock.
Here is the horrifying moment: