Safety forces stand round a stage that collapsed throughout an occasion attended by presidential candidate Jorge Álvarez Máynez in San Pedro Garza García, on the outskirts of Monterey, Mexico, on Wednesday, Could 22, 2024.
Alberto Lopez/AP
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Alberto Lopez/AP
SAN PEDRO GARZA GARCIA, Mexico — A powerful gust of wind toppled the stage at a marketing campaign rally Wednesday night within the northern Mexican state of Nuevo Leon, killing not less than 9 individuals — together with a toddler — and injuring 63, the state’s governor mentioned.
The collapse occurred throughout an occasion attended by presidential long-shot candidate Jorge Álvarez Máynez, who ran to flee. Movies of the collapse on social media confirmed individuals screaming, working away and climbing out from below steel polls.
The victims “will not be alone in this tragedy,” Máynez instructed reporters Wednesday night time, including that he had suspended upcoming marketing campaign occasions.
Afterward, troopers, police and different officers roamed the grounds of the park the place the occasion occurred whereas many close by sat surprised and haunted by the tragedy.
Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador mentioned he “sends a hug to family members, friends of the victims and political supporters.” Condolences poured in from throughout Mexico, together with by different presidential candidates.
In a video message, Nuevo Leon Gov. Samuel Garcia, a number one member of Máynez’s Residents Motion occasion, requested residents to shelter of their homes for the following two hours.
Máynez wrote in his social media accounts that he went to a hospital after the accident within the rich suburb of San Pedro Garza Garcia, close to town of Monterrey. He mentioned he was in good situation.
“The only important thing at this point is to care for the victims of the accident,” he wrote.
Presidential candidate runs to keep away from falling construction
Movies of the accident confirmed Máynez waving his arm as the group chanted his title. However then he regarded as much as see a large display and steel construction toppling towards him. He ran quickly towards the again of the stage to keep away from the falling construction, which appeared to include comparatively gentle framework items in addition to what gave the impression to be a display with the occasion’s brand and theater-style lights.
Máynez has been working third in polls within the presidential race, trailing each front-runner Claudia Sheinbaum of the ruling Morena Occasion and opposition coalition candidate Xóchitl Gálvez. Each despatched their condolences, and Sheinbaum canceled a marketing campaign occasion in close by Monterrey the following day “in solidarity” with victims and their family members.
“My condolences and prayers with the families of the dead, and my wishes for a speedy recovery to all those injured,” wrote Gálvez in a social media put up.
The accident occurred on the peak of marketing campaign season, with many occasions held this week and subsequent in anticipation of the June 2 presidential, state and municipal elections.
The marketing campaign has up to now been affected by the killings of about two dozen candidates for native places of work.
