At an election rally in Mexico on Wednesday, a stage collapse caused by powerful wind gusts tragically claimed the lives of nine individuals and left over 50 injured. The horrific accident occurred when lights and a massive screen came crashing down on the stage where presidential candidate Jorge Alvarez Maynez and members of his Citizens’ Movement party were standing. Maynez, however, managed to escape unharmed prior to the collapse.
Local media captured the incident on video, which has since gone viral. The footage depicts Maynez and his party comrades speaking at the rally as the giant screen begins to topple amidst the strong winds. Within seconds, the crowd panicked and fled as the stage collapsed, burying the area in debris.
Speaking to the press from the accident scene in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Maynez expressed his deep sadness, describing it as a tragedy. The 38-year-old candidate conveyed his well-being through a post on Twitter, stating that he was in communication with authorities and emphasizing the priority of attending to the victims. Following the accident, Maynez suspended his scheduled events and announced his intention to remain at the site until all injured individuals were safely transported to hospitals.
Leading up to the campaign, Mexico’s meteorological department had issued warnings of heavy rainfall and wind gusts reaching up to 70 kilometers per hour. The weather forecasting service also anticipated the possibility of tornadoes in Nuevo Leon and other northern states. Governor Garcia urged citizens to avoid outdoor activities due to the severe weather conditions.
