Alberto Lopez/Associated Press
On May 22, 2024, a stage collapsed in San Pedro Garza García due to gusts of wind, and security forces cordoned off the area.
CNN
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High winds collapsed a stage at a campaign rally in Mexico on Wednesday, killing nine people and sending one presidential candidate to hospital for a time.
Candidate Jorge Álvarez Maínez said he was not injured in the incident, which occurred while campaigning in the northeastern city of San Pedro Garza García.
The governor of Mexico's Nuevo León state said at least 54 people were injured and rescue efforts were continuing to save some of those trapped under the collapsed stage.
One minor was among the dead, Gov. Samuel Garcia Sepulveda said in a post on X, adding that some of the injured were in stable condition while others were undergoing surgery.
Videos shared on social media showed the moment a strong gust of wind caused the stage to collapse, with Alvarez-Mines and his team seen running for cover as the structure, including a large video screen, fell onto the stage and part of the seating area.
Footage taken after the accident shows a large number of emergency vehicles at the scene, their lights flashing in the darkness, as they carry out the injured. The scene was cordoned off and heavily armed security guards guarded it.
Alberto López/Associated Press
Security forces stand around a stage that was toppled by a gust of wind during an event attended by presidential candidate Jorge Álvarez Maynez in San Pedro Garza García on May 22, 2024.
Mexico's weather service warned that strong winds were expected across the region, with gusts of up to 70 kilometers per hour (43 miles per hour) starting Wednesday afternoon.
Alvarez Mines later said he would suspend all campaign activities after the collapse but would remain in the state to monitor the situation and the victims.
“We have to come together. Nothing can repair this kind of accident and damage. [people] “They will not be alone in this tragedy and in the impact this tragedy has had on their lives,” Alvarez-Mainez said.
The 38-year-old congressman represents the center-left Citizens Movement party and was nominated as the party's candidate in January following the withdrawal of Garcia Sepulveda, who was forced to return to his duties as governor after political turmoil erupted under the caretaker leadership, making a presidential campaign impossible.
Alvarez Mines has little chance of winning the presidency, which is seen as a contest between former Mexico City mayor Claudia Sheinbaum, a close ally of Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, and former senator Xochitl Gálvez, representing the opposition coalition.
Mexico is almost certain to elect its first female president in June, as the two women have wide leads in opinion polls.
Alvarez Mines told reporters that civil defense teams had been checking the “structure of the set” before the event but organisers had been surprised by the intensity of the wind gusts.
“The weather conditions were very unusual. The rain lasted less than five minutes… it wasn't even a storm. What happened was really unusual,” he said.
The presidential candidate said the incident would be investigated.
Governor Garcia Sepulveda warned of further strong winds, thunderstorms and rain, and urged area residents to stay indoors.
Mexico is set to hold its largest election in history on June 2, but it has been marred by a surge in political violence and assassinations.
An estimated 70,000 candidates have put their names forward to run for more than 20,000 posts, including the presidency and nine state governorships.
At least 28 candidates have been attacked and 16 killed so far this year, according to data from research group Data Cívica through April 1, a toll that's on track to surpass Mexico's bloodiest election cycle to date.
