Robust winds topple stage at a marketing campaign rally in northern Mexico, killing a minimum of 9 folks

SAN PEDRO GARZA GARCIA, Mexico — A robust gust of wind toppled the stage at a marketing campaign rally Wednesday night within the northern Mexican state of Nuevo Leon, killing a minimum of 9 folks — together with a baby — and injuring 63, the state’s governor mentioned.

The collapse occurred throughout an occasion attended by presidential long-shot candidate Jorge Álvarez Máynez, who ran to flee. Movies of the collapse on social media confirmed folks screaming, operating away and climbing out from below metallic polls.

The victims “is not going to be alone on this tragedy,” Máynez informed reporters Wednesday night time, including that he had suspended upcoming marketing campaign occasions.

Afterward, troopers, police and different officers roamed the grounds of the park the place the occasion passed off whereas many close by sat shocked and haunted by the tragedy.

Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador mentioned he “sends a hug to members of the family, buddies of the victims and political supporters.” Condolences poured in from throughout Mexico, together with by different presidential candidates.

In a video message, Nuevo Leon Gov. Samuel Garcia, a number one member of Máynez’s Residents Motion social gathering, requested residents to shelter of their homes for the following two hours.

Máynez wrote in his social media accounts that he went to a hospital after the accident within the rich suburb of San Pedro Garza Garcia, close to the town of Monterrey. He mentioned he was in good situation.

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“The one necessary factor at this level is to take care of the victims of the accident,” he wrote.

Movies of the accident confirmed Máynez waving his arm as the group chanted his identify. However then he regarded as much as see an enormous display and metallic construction toppling towards him. He ran quickly towards the again of the stage to keep away from the falling construction, which appeared to encompass comparatively gentle framework items in addition to what gave the impression to be a display with the social gathering’s brand and theater-style lights.

Máynez has been operating third in polls within the presidential race, trailing each front-runner Claudia Sheinbaum of the ruling Morena Occasion and opposition coalition candidate Xóchitl Gálvez. Each despatched their condolences, and Sheinbaum canceled a marketing campaign occasion in close by Monterrey the following day “in solidarity” with victims and their family members.

“My condolences and prayers with the households of the useless, and my needs for a speedy restoration to all these injured,” wrote Gálvez in a social media put up.

The accident occurred on the top of marketing campaign season, with many occasions held this week and subsequent in anticipation of the June 2 presidential, state and municipal elections.

The marketing campaign has to this point been tormented by the killings of about two dozen candidates for native places of work.