SAN PEDRO GARZA GARCIA, Mexico (AP) — High winds toppled a stage at an election rally in the northern city of San Pedro Garza García on Wednesday night. Mexico At least nine people, including one child, were killed and 63 injured in Nuevo Leon state, the state governor announced.
The collapse occurred during an event attended by Jorge Alvarez Minez, the presidential candidate who lost a major election defeat, as he tried to flee. Videos of the collapse posted on social media showed people screaming, running and crawling out from under the metal poles.
“This tragedy is not just about the victims,” Mines told reporters Wednesday night, adding that he was canceling all future campaign activities.
Later, soldiers, police and other officials roamed the grounds of the park where the incident occurred, while many people nearby sat stunned and stunned.
Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador said he “sends hugs to the victims’ families, friends and political supporters.” Condolences poured in from across Mexico, including from other presidential candidates.
In a video message, Nuevo León Governor Samuel García, a leading member of Maynez’s Civic Movement party, asked residents to shelter in their homes for the next two hours.
Minez wrote on her social media accounts that she had gone to hospital after the accident in San Pedro Garza Garcia, an affluent suburb near the city of Monterrey, and was feeling fine.
“The only thing that matters at this time is caring for the victims of the accident,” he wrote.
Video of the incident showed Mynes waving his arms as the crowd chanted his name. But when he looked up, he saw a huge screen and metal structure falling towards him. He raced toward the back of the stage to avoid falling structures. The structure appeared to consist of a relatively light frame and some sort of screen with a party logo and theater-style lights.
Minez is running third in the presidential polls, behind both of them. Top candidate Claudia Sheinbaum Campaign participants for the ruling Morena party and opposition coalition candidate Xochitl Gálvez canceled campaign events scheduled for the next day near Monterrey in “solidarity” with the victims and their families.
“My condolences and prayers go to the families of those who lost their lives and I pray for a speedy recovery for those who were injured,” Galvez wrote in a social media post.
The accident occurred at the height of campaign season, with many events being held this week and next in anticipation of the election campaign. June 2 presidential, state and city elections.
The campaign has been plagued by problems so far: The murder of about 20 candidates He ran for local office but his campaign was marred by an accident.
