Wind Collapses Stage At Mexico Election Rally, 9 Dead, 54 Injured

A stage collapse at an election rally in Nuevo León, Mexico, resulted in nine fatalities, including a child, and around 54 injuries, according to the state governor. The incident occurred during a speech by centre-left presidential candidate Jorge Alvarez Maynez in San Pedro Garza Garcia. Maynez escaped unharmed, but several team members were injured. The collapse was attributed to a sudden gust of wind, as described by Maynez.

Video footage showed the moment the structure collapsed, with Maynez seen retreating to safety. Witnesses reported chaos and panic as people fled the stage. Maynez described the wind as unexpected and described the incident as a “fatal accident” caused by the sudden weather event.

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State Governor Samuel Garcia confirmed that the victims included eight adults and one child. Three injured individuals underwent surgery, as per Garcia’s visit to a nearby hospital. Garcia advised residents to stay indoors due to thunderstorms and strong winds, urging caution.

Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador expressed condolences to the victims’ families, friends, and political supporters. Mr. Maynez, 38, represents the Citizens’ Movement party and currently ranks third in national polls, trailing behind Claudia Sheinbaum of the ruling Morena Party and Xóchitl Gálvez from the opposition coalition.

Originally, Mr. Garcia was the Citizens’ Movement Party’s candidate, but he nominated Mr. Maynez as his replacement due to legal requirements mandating officials to step down when running for office.

Mr. Maynez entered the presidential race in January, later than Sheinbaum and Gálvez. His previous role as campaign coordinator renders him less known compared to the frontrunners. Mr. Maynez suspended upcoming campaign events, while Sheinbaum cancelled a Monterrey appearance following the tragedy.

Gálvez expressed condolences on social media. The lead-up to the June 2 election has been marred by unprecedented violence in Mexico’s history.