Stage collapse at a campaign rally in northern Mexico kills at least 9 people and injures 121

stage collapse at a campaign rally in northern mexico kills at least 9 people and injures 121

Security forces stand around a stage that collapsed due to a gust of wind during an event attended by presidential candidate Jorge Álvarez Máynez in San Pedro Garza García, on the outskirts of Monterrey, Mexico, Wednesday, May 22, 2024. President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador confirmed that four people were killed and at least a dozen were injured. (AP Photo/Alberto Lopez)

SAN PEDRO GARZA GARCIA, Mexico (AP) — The collapse of a stage in heavy winds at a campaign rally in northern Mexico has killed at least nine people, including a child, and injured 121, the governor of Nuevo Leon state said Thursday.

The collapse occurred during an event Wednesday evening attended by presidential long-shot candidate Jorge Álvarez Máynez, who ran to escape. Videos of the collapse on social media showed people screaming, running away and climbing out from under metal polls.

stage collapse at a campaign rally in northern mexico kills at least 9 people and injures 121

Mexico Election

The victims “will not be alone in this tragedy,” Máynez told reporters Wednesday night, adding that he had suspended upcoming campaign events.

Afterward, soldiers, police and other officials roamed the grounds of the park where the event took place while many nearby sat stunned and haunted by the tragedy.

In a video message, Nuevo Leon Gov. Samuel Garcia, a leading member of Máynez’s Citizens Movement party, said 94 of the injured were treated and released, but that 27 remained hospitalized. State health authorities said a lot of the injuries involved skull fractures. Garcia said three victims were undergoing surgery and appeared to be in critical condition.

stage collapse at a campaign rally in northern mexico kills at least 9 people and injures 121

Relief workers and security forces stand next to electoral posters after a stage collapsed due to a gust of wind during an event attended by presidential candidate Jorge Álvarez Máynez in San Pedro Garza García, on the outskirts of Monterrey, Mexico, Wednesday, May 22, 2024. President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador confirmed that four people were killed and at least a dozen were injured. (AP Photo/Alberto Lopez)

Garcia said the accident occurred “in a matter of seconds.”

stage collapse at a campaign rally in northern mexico kills at least 9 people and injures 121

Security forces stand around a stage that collapsed due to a gust of wind during an event attended by presidential candidate Jorge Álvarez Máynez in San Pedro Garza García, on the outskirts of Monterrey, Mexico, Wednesday, May 22, 2024. President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador confirmed that multiple people were killed and at least a dozen were injured. (AP Photo/Alberto Lopez)

Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador said most of the injured were women. He absolved Máynez’s Citizens Movement party — widely viewed as an implicit ally of López Obrador’s Morena party — of blame even before investigations were carried out.

“We know that they are not to blame,” the president said Thursday.

Condolences poured in from across Mexico, including from the other two presidential candidates.

Máynez wrote in his social media accounts that he went to a hospital after the accident in the wealthy suburb of San Pedro Garza Garcia, near the city of Monterrey. He said he was in good condition.

“The only important thing at this point is to care for the victims of the accident,” he wrote.

Videos of the accident showed Máynez waving his arm as the crowd chanted his name. But then he looked up to see a giant screen and metal structure toppling toward him. He ran rapidly toward the back of the stage to avoid the falling structure, which appeared to consist of relatively light framework pieces as well as what appeared to be a screen with the party’s logo and theater-style lights.

stage collapse at a campaign rally in northern mexico kills at least 9 people and injures 121

Security forces cordon off the area after a stage collapsed due to a gust of wind during an event attended by presidential candidate Jorge Álvarez Máynez in San Pedro Garza García, on the outskirts of Monterrey, Mexico, Wednesday, May 22, 2024. President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador confirmed that four people were killed and at least a dozen injured. (AP Photo/Alberto Lopez)

Máynez has been running third in polls in the presidential race, trailing both front-runner Claudia Sheinbaum of the ruling Morena Party and opposition coalition candidate Xóchitl Gálvez. Both sent their condolences, and Sheinbaum canceled a campaign event in nearby Monterrey the next day “in solidarity” with victims and their loved ones.

stage collapse at a campaign rally in northern mexico kills at least 9 people and injures 121

Electoral signs lay on the ground as security forces secure the area after a stage collapsed due to a gust of wind during an event attended by presidential candidate Jorge Álvarez Máynez in San Pedro Garza García, on the outskirts of Monterrey, Mexico, Wednesday, May 22, 2024. President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador confirmed that four people were killed and at least a dozen injured. (AP Photo/Alberto Lopez)

“My condolences and prayers with the families of the dead, and my wishes for a speedy recovery to all those injured,” wrote Gálvez in a social media post.

The accident happened at the height of campaign season, with many events held this week and next in anticipation of the June 2 presidential, state and municipal elections.

The campaign had so far been plagued by the killings of about two dozen candidates for local offices.

OTHER NEWS

1 hour ago

Marcos vows maritime industry modernization

1 hour ago

Pentagon chief, Russian defense minister discuss open lines of communication

1 hour ago

Vitamin C for sensitive skin — now possible

2 hrs ago

Are Wrexham playing Birmingham City in USA? Ryan Reynolds responds to reports of EFL game vs. Tom Brady team in United States

2 hrs ago

‘Pink or Fake?’: Authenticity of viral ‘rare pink dolphin’ photos in North Carolina questioned

2 hrs ago

Luzon mayors ask Marcos to stop plan to revive e-sabong

2 hrs ago

'Every trench' in Ukraine needs a close-range electronic warfare shield against drones and other threats, top official says

2 hrs ago

German minister wants up to 15 billion eur munitions deal, says source

2 hrs ago

Reporter addresses latest NFL position group to see market value drop

2 hrs ago

‘Red One' Trailer: Dwayne Johnson and Chris Evans Team Up to Rescue a Kidnapped Santa Claus in Prime Video's Christmas Action Movie

2 hrs ago

Last-Minute Law on Restaurant Fees Inches Toward Approval Ahead of July 1 Deadline

2 hrs ago

Should You Buy the Dip In Nvidia Stock? Here's What the Fundamentals Say

2 hrs ago

Mendoza, Alburo win, earn finals spots

2 hrs ago

S&P trims PH 2024 growth forecast to 5.8%

2 hrs ago

“SEAL Team” Final Season Trailer Teases 'One Last Ride' for David Boreanaz's Bravo Team

2 hrs ago

Hong Kong court edges closer to sentencing democracy activists involved in unofficial primary

2 hrs ago

Crumbl Is Making Cookie Cereal & Fans Are Divided

2 hrs ago

Verizon to pay $1 million fine over 911 call outage in 2022

2 hrs ago

Triumphs in collaborative architecture and design

2 hrs ago

Paul McCartney, 82, amazes fans with dance moves at Taylor Swift’s concert

2 hrs ago

Boaz Weinstein Says Biden Is Better for Bond Market Than Trump

2 hrs ago

Exxon Plans New Guyana Oil Project to Lift Output Into 2030s

2 hrs ago

Thea Gagate eager to help ZUS Coffee rise after winless campaign

2 hrs ago

Barbie Forteza shows admiration for Kathryn Bernardo, hopes to work with her

2 hrs ago

Meralco braces for wet season

2 hrs ago

How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies: a movie review

2 hrs ago

BIR removes eCAR 5-year validity period

2 hrs ago

Abante: Past drug war deceitful, don’t vote for anti-human rights bets

2 hrs ago

Julia Coronel shines in PVL Rookie Draft combine

2 hrs ago

Scottie stand-in Dwight Ramos long groomed by coach Tab for PG role

2 hrs ago

Introducing the Yaber Projector T2/T2 Plus: Battery-Powered Portable Projector with Native 1080P Resolution

2 hrs ago

Bronny James draft odds: Lakers still favored for LeBron's son, but several sleepers could take him earlier

3 hrs ago

I’m Upper Middle Class: 7 Financial Steps I Wish I’d Taken Sooner

3 hrs ago

Guide to The World Chocolate Fair 2024

3 hrs ago

Less tourists seen to visit Philippines this year

3 hrs ago

Disney World Will Take Ride Reservations a Week in Advance

3 hrs ago

Vilma Santos, 'star for all seasons', nominated National Artist

3 hrs ago

How Jodie Comer Mastered Her Chicago Accent for ‘The Bikeriders'

3 hrs ago

EUR/USD Sets Stage for Rebound From 1.06 Level - US PCE Could Seal the Deal

3 hrs ago

How to Survive a Long Flight