An election rally turned into a tragedy this Wednesday (22) when a strong wind caused a stage to collapse in the city of San Pedro Garza García, in northeastern Mexico, resulting in the death of nine people and leaving another 70 injured.
The presidential candidate for the center-left Citizens Movement party, Jorge Álvarez Máynez, who was holding the rally, managed to escape the scene without serious injuries and was taken to the hospital, where he was kept under observation.
The agency Reuters, Álvarez Máynez described the moments of horror: “What we experienced happened in just a few seconds: a gust came, a sudden wind, and unfortunately, the stage collapsed, resulting in a fatal accident.” He reported that he first saw the drums of the musicians, who were going to perform, being blown away by the wind. When the others noticed, they ran in different directions; some jumped to the sides of the stage, and I jumped back.
Videos shared online captured the moment a strong wind caused the stage to collapse.
The governor of the state of Nuevo León, where the city of San Pedro Garza García is located, Samuel García Sepúlveda, confirmed the fatalities and reported that authorities went to the scene to carry out rescue operations, with the aim of helping people who were possibly still trapped under the rubble.
According to information from the American broadcaster CNN, citing a speech by Governor Sepúlveda, among the fatal victims was a minor. Sepúlveda also stated that some of the injured were stable, while others had to undergo surgery.
Following the tragedy, Álvarez Máynez announced the suspension of all campaign activities, but will remain in the state to monitor the situation and the victims. “We have to have solidarity, there is nothing that can repair an accident, damage of this nature, and [as pessoas] They will not be alone in this tragedy and through the consequences that this tragedy will have on their lives”, said the presidential candidate.
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