Mexico City: A stage collapse occurred in northern Mexico on Wednesday during a campaign rally for a presidential candidate, resulting in the loss of at least five lives and injuring approximately 50 others, as per authorities.
Footage of the incident depicted a chaotic scene as the stage structure gave way to strong winds, causing a large screen to crash onto the platform where Jorge Alvarez Maynez, a presidential hopeful, and members of his Citizens’ Movement party were present.
Governor Samuel Garcia of Nuevo Leon state confirmed the casualties, stating on social media platform X that five individuals had tragically lost their lives, while 50 sustained varying degrees of injuries.
“San Pedro Garza García”:
Porque se desplomó el escenario donde se llevaba a cabo el evento de campaña de Lorenia Canavati, candidata a la alcaldía de San Pedro Garza García, Nuevo León, donde se encontraba Jorge Álvarez Máynez. pic.twitter.com/czzAP0ZmdV— ¿Por qué es Tendencia? (@porktendencia) May 23, 2024
Maynez, aged 38, assured his safety following the ordeal in San Pedro Garza Garcia, situated within the metropolitan area of Monterrey. He emphasized the importance of prioritizing assistance to the victims and pledged to remain at the site until all injured individuals were transported to hospitals.
Acknowledging the severity of the situation, outgoing President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador extended condolences to the families and friends of the victims, attributing the accident to strong winds.
In response, Maynez’s party announced the suspension of all campaign activities as a gesture of solidarity with those impacted by the tragedy.
Eyewitness accounts described the harrowing experience as the structure collapsed, causing panic among attendees. Jose Juan, a rally attendee, recounted being struck on the head and losing consciousness amidst the chaos.
Expressions of support and solidarity poured in from other presidential candidates, including Xochitl Galvez, who shared her hope for minimal casualties before the fatalities were confirmed.
The incident underscores the heightened atmosphere ahead of the upcoming June 2 presidential election in Mexico, which also includes voting for members of Congress, state governors, and local officials, with over 20,000 positions at stake.
