A political rally in Mexico for presidential candidate Jorge Álvarez Máynez turned devastating when a stage crumbled under severe wind conditions. The calamity resulted in the deaths of nine individuals and injured 121 attendees.
The unfortunate incident took place in San Pedro Garza García, Nuevo León, when winds, estimated to be between 25 and 30 mph, hit the stage. Samuel García Sepúlveda, the Governor of Nuevo León, confirmed that a minor, reported to be 11 years old, was among the victims. Social media shared footage of the horrifying moment when the stage, including a large video screen and metal poles, fell onto the crowd, causing panic and a rush for safety.
Álvarez Máynez, who is standing for the center-left Citizens’ Movement party, was present at the venue but escaped unscathed. He narrated the events to the media, recounting, “A gale came, a sudden wind, and unfortunately, it collapsed the stage, resulting in a fatal accident.”
As per Governor García’s report, 27 individuals are still hospitalized, many suffering from skull fractures. Several are in critical condition and undergoing surgery.
Following the disaster, Álvarez Máynez halted all campaign activities and pledged to remain in the state to provide support for the victims and oversee the situation. “We have to have solidarity,” he stated. “Nothing can repair an accident, a damage of this nature, and [people] will not be alone in this tragedy.”
The Mexican presidential race has been marked by fierce competition with Álvarez Máynez trailing behind frontrunners Claudia Sheinbaum, the previous Mexico City mayor, and Xóchitl Gálvez, a former senator. Despite being a third in the polls, 38-year-old Álvarez Máynez has been focusing on attracting younger voters and promoting political reform.
This tragedy contributes to the ongoing violence and unrest during this election season. As reported by Data Cívica, a total of 28 candidates have been attacked, with 16 fatalities recorded so far this year. The escalating violence is predicted to exceed that of previous election periods, raising safety and security concerns for political events countrywide.
President Andrés Manuel López Obrador offered his condolences to the bereaved families and absolved Álvarez Máynez’s party from any blame for the incident. Both Sheinbaum and Gálvez also expressed their sympathy and halted their campaign events in a show of solidarity with the victims and their relatives.
With the June 2 election date looming, this tragic incident underscores the risks and challenges candidates and their supporters face during campaign events.
