A stage collapsed at a Mexican election campaign rally on Wednesday, May 22, 2024 resulting in the deaths of nine people and injuring dozens more as high winds tore apart the large, concert-style structure. The incident scattered politicians and attendees in a chaotic scene.
Around 50 people were injured at the rally for the Citizens’ Movement party in the northern Mexican state of Nuevo Leon. “Eight adults and one child were among the victims,” stated Samuel Garcia, the state’s governor, on social media. Garcia added, “I am heading to the hospital where three people are currently in surgery.”
Jorge Alvarez Maynez, the presidential candidate for the centrist Citizens’ Movement party, explained, “A gust of wind caused the stage to collapse at the event in the city of San Pedro Garza Garcia, a wealthy enclave near the industrial hub of Monterrey.” Video footage of the accident showed the structure suddenly falling forward into the crowd, prompting politicians on the stage and panicked attendees to run for cover.
“I’ve never experienced something so sudden,” Alvarez Maynez told reporters, emphasizing the rapid onset of the wind before the stage collapse. Alvarez Maynez, who returned to the scene after being cleared at a local hospital, announced, “I am suspending campaign activities and hope that authorities will investigate what occurred, ensuring transparency in the process.”
The Citizens’ Movement party reported that campaign coordinator Laura Ballesteros was hospitalized with a broken foot. Additionally, Lorenia Canavati, mayoral candidate for San Pedro Garza Garcia, stated on social media, “I am coordinating with authorities to support those impacted and their families.”
Members of Mexico’s national guard and army were on the scene to provide support. “Governor Garcia warned residents to stay indoors amid strong thunderstorms in the area,” noted Interior Minister Luisa Alcalde on social media.
Alvarez Maynez is currently polling in third place in Mexico’s presidential election set for June 2, trailing far behind ruling party candidate Claudia Sheinbaum and second-place Xochitl Galvez, who represents a broad opposition coalition. Both Galvez and Sheinbaum offered condolences to the families of the victims. “I am canceling a rally planned for Thursday evening in Monterrey,” Sheinbaum stated in a social media post.
