Mexico City:
At least five people were killed and about 50 injured when strong winds caused a stage to collapse during a presidential candidate's campaign rally in northern Mexico on Wednesday, authorities said.
Footage of the accident shows the structure supporting the stage collapsing, a giant screen falling onto the stage where presidential candidate Jorge Álvarez Maínez and members of the Civic Movement Party were standing, and the crowd running for cover. is reflected.
“Unfortunately, so far five people have lost their lives and 50 have sustained moderate and serious injuries,” Samuel Garcia, the governor of the northern state of Nuevo Leon, said on social media.
“San Pedro Garza Garcia”:
This scenario depicts what happened behind the scenes during the election campaign of Lorenia Canavati, a candidate for San Pedro Garza García, Nuevo León. In that constituency, Jorge Álvarez Mines was found. pic.twitter.com/czzAP0ZmdV— ¿What about Tendencia? (@PorkTendencia) May 23, 2024
Speaking to reporters from the scene, he described the accident as a “tragedy.”
Maynes, 38, said he was safe after the accident, which occurred in the town of San Pedro Garza García, in the Monterrey metropolitan area of Nuevo Leon state.
“I am doing well and have been in contact with the authorities” about what happened, Meynes wrote to X, adding that the priority was caring for the victims.
He said he would remain at the scene until the last injured person was taken to hospital.
Maynes said several members of his team were being treated in hospital. Meines is in third place, according to polls, ahead of the June 2 presidential election.
Opinion polls show him far behind both front-runner Claudia Sheinbaum and main opposition presidential candidate Xochitl Gálvez.
Outgoing President Andrés Manuel López Obrador offered his condolences to the families and friends of the victims in a social media post.
He said the election rally accident was caused by strong winds.
In a statement, Meineth's party said it was suspending all election activities “in solidarity with those affected”.
Jose Juan, who was at the rally, described how the building collapsed on the candidate and his supporters.
“I hit my head and passed out. After that it was pure hysteria, pure panic,” he told broadcaster Televisa.
The other two presidential candidates also expressed solidarity with those affected.
“I sincerely hope there are no serious injuries,” opposition candidate Galvez wrote on social media before he was confirmed dead.
On June 2, Mexicans will vote to elect a new president, as well as members of Congress, governors of several states, and local officials.
In total, over 20,000 positions are in contention.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
