A devastating incident occurred at an election rally in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo León, where a stage collapse resulted in the deaths of nine people, including a child, and injured around 50 others.
The collapse happened during a speech by Jorge Alvarez Maynez, a presidential candidate, who attributed the accident to a sudden gust of wind. Maynez and several team members were among those affected, though he was not injured. The event, which was captured in social media videos, saw attendees scrambling for safety as the structure toppled.
In the aftermath, Nuevo León’s Governor Samuel Garcia reported that three of the injured required surgery and advised residents to stay indoors due to ongoing severe weather.
Asistí al lugar donde sucedió el accidente en San Pedro. Al momento, lamentablemente 5 personas perdieron la vida y 50 tienen lesiones medias y graves. Todas ya están siendo atendidas.
Ahora me dirijo a las clínicas y hospitales junto con la secretaria de Salud Alma Rosa…
— Samuel García (@samuel_garcias) May 23, 2024
President Andrés Manuel López Obrador expressed his condolences, and the political community, including Maynez’s rivals Claudia Sheinbaum and Xóchitl Gálvez, responded with messages of support and suspended campaign events.
Ella lo abraza en busca de proteccion.
Él la avienta, la abandona y corre en forma cobarde para salvarse.
Yo jamás votaría por un tipo como Jorge Álvarez Máynez.
Punto. pic.twitter.com/01bCJeEoqw
— Vero Islas (@LOVREGA) May 23, 2024
The incident adds to the turmoil in one of Mexico’s deadliest election seasons, with numerous politicians and public servants facing violence and threats.
A recent survey by Mexican political consultancy firm Integralia said some 200 public servants, politicians and candidates have been murdered or threatened in the lead up to the poll.
