A political rally in Mexico turned tragic when a stage collapse resulted in the death of nine individuals and left dozens injured. The incident occurred during a campaign event for the Citizens Movement party in San Pedro Garza Garcia, a city in the state of Nuevo Leon. The party’s presidential nominee, Jorge Álvarez Máynez, was on stage when the structure gave way, but managed to escape unscathed.
Eyewitness accounts and video footage reveal a strong gust of wind as the culprit behind the collapse. The wind caused the top of the stage, where seven people were standing, to crumple. Álvarez Máynez was seen waving to the crowd moments before the incident, only to look up and see the beams of the stage shaking. He, along with several others, managed to run to safety, while some were seen cowering in place.
The collapse resulted in at least nine fatalities, according to officials. An estimated 50 people were injured, with some trapped under the debris. Álvarez Máynez, who was taken to a local hospital following the incident, confirmed on social media that he was unharmed but acknowledged that members of his team were among the injured. He also mentioned the wind as the cause of the accident but did not specify the number of casualties.
The rally was also attended by San Pedro Mayor Lorenia Canavati, who had shared an image of the stage hours before the event. The photo showed the roof of the stage supported by eight beams. Canavati had invited attendees to the El Bishop Baseball Field for the rally, expressing hope for a better future for San Pedro.
Samuel Garcia, the governor of Nuevo Leon and a prominent member of the Citizens Movement party, confirmed the injuries in a recorded statement. He described the incident as a result of strong winds that toppled the stage during the campaign event. These events are being held in the lead-up to the June 2 presidential, state, and municipal elections.
Álvarez Máynez, who is currently third in the presidential race polls, trails front-runner Claudia Sheinbaum of the ruling Morena Party and opposition coalition candidate Xóchitl Gálvez.