Tragedy struck a campaign rally in Mexico on Wednesday, leaving a devastating impact as nine lives were lost and several others injured when a stage collapsed under strong winds. The incident occurred during a campaign event held by presidential candidate Jorge Álvarez Máynez in the city of San Pedro Garza García, situated in the northeastern part of the country.
Thankfully, candidate Álvarez Máynez emerged unscathed from the mishap. However, the severity of the situation led to his brief hospitalization as a precautionary measure. The collapse took place while Álvarez Máynez was addressing the crowd at the rally.
The governor of Nuevo Leon state in Mexico, Samuel García, provided an update on the tragic incident, mentioning that at least 54 individuals sustained injuries. Rescue efforts were immediately initiated to extricate individuals trapped under the weight of the collapsed stage.
A particularly distressing aspect is that among the deceased, there is one minor, as confirmed by Governor García in a post on X. He further stated that some of the injured victims are stable while others are undergoing surgical procedures to address their injuries.
Footage extensively shared on social media captured the exact moment when a gust of wind, characterized by its sheer force, caused the stage to crumble. Observing the video, one can witness Álvarez Máynez and his team swiftly seeking shelter as the structure, including a large video screen, collapsed onto the stage and the surrounding audience area.
BREAKING REPORT: ⚠️ Stage collapses at MASSIVE POLITICAL RALLY in northern Mexico..
Multiple injuries, at least 4 reported deceased..
pic.twitter.com/E0ANrJdLTx [1]
— Chuck Callesto (@ChuckCallesto) May 23, 2024 [2]
Here’s another angle on the stage collapse in Mexico tonight.
At least 4 are dead.
Mexican presidential candidate escapes at the last second.pic.twitter.com/q9fo3W7iUx [3]
— Citizen Free Press (@CitizenFreePres) May 23, 2024 [4]
Predicting perilous weather conditions, the meteorological service of Mexico had forewarned about gusts of wind reaching speeds of up to 70 kilometers per hour (43 miles per hour) starting Wednesday afternoon. These winds played a crucial role in the unfortunate unfolding of events.
In response to the tragedy, Álvarez Máynez made the decision to suspend all campaign activities. However, he emphasized his commitment to remaining present in the state to not only monitor the situation diligently but also support the victims through this period of adversity.
During a press briefing, Álvarez Máynez revealed that Civil Defense teams had conducted evaluations on the “structure of the set” before the event. However, the magnitude of the wind gusts exceeded expectations and caught the organizers off guard.
Álvarez Máynez expressed the need for an investigation into the incident, emphasizing a comprehensive inquiry to determine the causes behind the tragic collapse.
Governor García cautioned individuals living in the vicinity to remain indoors as the region was forecasted to experience additional bouts of strong winds, thunderstorms, and rainfall.
Regrettably, the upcoming presidential election in Mexico, slated for June 2, has been marred by an escalation of political violence and targeted assassinations. Data compiled by the research group Data Cívica for the period until April 1 reveals that 28 candidates have already faced attacks, with 16 losing their lives. These figures indicate a distressing trend, surpassing even the bloodiest election cycles in the country’s history.