A tragic incident occurred during an election rally in Nuevo León, Mexico, where at least nine people, including a child, lost their lives, and around 50 were injured. The stage collapse happened while center-left presidential candidate Jorge Alvarez Maynez was delivering a speech in San Pedro Garza Garcia, near Monterrey.

Details of the Incident

The collapse was attributed to a sudden gust of wind. Although Mr. Maynez was unharmed, several of his team members were injured. Footage from the event shows the lighting structure falling as people were on stage. In videos posted on social media, Mr. Maynez can be seen waving to supporters and then running for safety as the structure began to topple.

Eyewitness Accounts

Mr. Maynez described the incident as a rare weather event, stating, "A gale came, a sudden wind, and unfortunately, it collapsed the stage, resulting in a fatal accident." He also mentioned that the wind came without warning, causing panic and chaos as people scrambled for safety.

Emergency Response

Emergency services quickly deployed the injured to nearby hospitals. State Governor Samuel Garcia confirmed that the victims included eight adults and one child. He noted that three of the injured required surgery. Mr. Garcia advised local residents to stay indoors due to ongoing thunderstorms and strong winds.

Political Reactions

Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador expressed his condolences to the families and friends of the victims. Mr. Maynez, the candidate of the Citizens' Movement party, has suspended upcoming campaign events following the tragedy. His competitors, Claudia Sheinbaum of the ruling Morena Party and Xóchitl Gálvez of the opposition coalition, also expressed their condolences. Ms. Sheinbaum canceled an appearance in Monterrey, and Ms. Gálvez offered prayers for the victims and their families.

Background on the Candidates

Mr. Maynez, 38, entered the presidential race in January, later than his main rivals, Ms. Sheinbaum and Ms. Gálvez, who began their campaigns in September. Initially, Mr. Garcia was the Citizens' Movement Party's candidate but stepped aside for Mr. Maynez due to a legal requirement for officials to step down if they run for office. Consequently, Mr. Maynez is less known compared to the other front-runners.

Election Context

The upcoming election on June 2 has been marked by violence, making it one of the deadliest in Mexico's history.

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