Tragedy struck in Mexico on Wednesday night as strong winds toppled a stage during a political rally in San Pedro Garza García, Nuevo León, a state in the northeast part of the country.
Nine people, including a child, were killed, and at least 80 others were injured in the accident, according to a statement from Nuevo León Governor Samuel García. The rally was for Mexican presidential candidate Jorge Álvarez Máynez.
“There are people reported trapped and injured,” Miguel Treviño, mayor of San Pedro Garza García, said. “My prayers are with the victims.”
Video of the incident went viral on social media.
As Máynez was pumping up the crowd of his supporters, the stage can be seen crumbling because of the winds. People in the audience began to scream and run away to escape harm. Other videos showed people climbing out after being trapped underneath the rubble from the collapsed stage. Máynez was seen running away as the stage toppled to avoid serious injury.
Later, the presidential candidate told several news outlets that he briefly visited a hospital after the accident but suffered no injuries.
“I am fine and in communication with state authorities to follow up on what happened,” Máynez said.
Máynez, the soon-to-be 39-year-old politician, previously served as a deputy of the Congress of the Union and as a state deputy in the Congress of Zacatecas. He is considered a long shot to win the election and is polling in third place among presidential candidates. After the accident during his rally, however, his only concern was the health and safety of the victims, not his political chances.
According to reports, Máynez announced the immediate suspension of future campaign events and was focusing on the survivors and injured victims.
“The only important thing right now is to care for the victims of the accident,” Máynez said.
Dozens of people were reportedly treated for injuries. Multiple officials claimed people were trapped in the wreckage after the accident, and emergency personnel were working to rescue them.
The accident occurred at the zenith of Mexico’s political season, CBS News reported. The country’s election on June 2 is a major one. In addition to the presidential election, candidates throughout the country are also vying for offices at the municipal and state levels.
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Many events were scheduled throughout the country over the next several weeks before the election, according to reports. It is uncertain if they will go on as scheduled after the accident on Wednesday night.
“We have to have solidarity, there is nothing that can repair an accident, a damage of this nature,” Máynez said. “People will not be alone in this tragedy and through the consequences that this tragedy will have in their lives.”
Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador spoke on the matter and said he was sending hugs to “family members, friends of the victims and political supporters.”
