9 Dead, Over 120 Injured
Authorities "No Strong Wind Warning Issued"
At a presidential candidate campaign event in northern Mexico, a collapse accident resulted in 9 deaths and over 120 injuries.
On the 22nd (local time), during a presidential candidate rally held in northern Mexico, a sudden gust of wind caused the tent to collapse completely. [Image source=AFP Yonhap News]
On the 24th (local time), foreign media including the AP reported that on the evening of the 22nd in San Pedro Garza Garc?a, Mexico, a large temporary stage structure installed with lighting and screens at the campaign site of Jorge Alvarez Maynez (38), the Citizens' Movement Party presidential candidate, suddenly collapsed due to a sudden gust of wind. At least 9 people, including children, died and 121 were injured in the accident. Some of the injured are reported to be in serious condition.
On the 22nd (local time), the stage at a presidential candidate rally in northern Mexico suddenly collapsed due to a gust of wind. [Image source=Captured from X (formerly Twitter)]
Videos posted on social media at the time of the accident showed Maynez waving his arms on stage as the crowd chanted his name. Suddenly, he noticed the screen and stage structure collapsing toward him and quickly ran to the back of the stage to avoid the falling structures. Another video showed the tarp covering the structure fluttering in the strong wind, with citizens screaming and panicking.
Candidate Maynez stated that he was moved to a nearby hospital and his condition is stable. He said the sudden gust of wind came without warning, lamenting, "What we experienced happened in just a few seconds." In fact, there were no forecasts of gusts or strong winds from any source. Foreign media reported that a thunderstorm observed near Monterrey on that day is believed to be the cause of the gust, bringing winds reaching speeds of 40 to 50 km/h.
On the 22nd (local time), the stage at a presidential candidate rally in northern Mexico suddenly collapsed due to a gust of wind. [Image source=Captured from X (formerly Twitter)]
Regarding this accident that occurred ahead of the presidential and general elections scheduled for the 2nd of next month, the Citizens' Movement Party, to which Maynez belongs, announced the cancellation of large-scale political events for the remainder of the campaign period. The state government decided to fully cover funeral and medical expenses for the victims. Samuel Garcia (36), governor of Nuevo Leon and a member of the Citizens' Movement Party, stated, "One of the deceased is a minor," and added, "Some of the injured are undergoing surgery, while the rest are resting." He also said, "The bereaved families and the injured will not have to spend even one peso," and "We plan to proceed with scholarship payments for minors who lost their parents, along with psychological treatment for the victims."
Meanwhile, this accident occurred amid active election campaigning ahead of the Mexican presidential and local elections scheduled for June 2. Ahead of this election, about 20 local public office candidates have been killed across Mexico, and 200 candidates have been threatened, with incidents continuing unabated.
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