Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – Nine people died, including children, after a stage collapsed due to strong winds at a campaign for Presidential candidate Jorge Álvarez Máynez in Mexico on Wednesday (22/5/2024).
Through videos shared on AFP News, you can see the moment a strong gust of wind caused the stage to collapse. You can also see the stage, including a large video screen, falling onto the stage and part of the audience area.
Footage taken after the crash showed a large number of emergency vehicles at the scene, their lights flashing in the darkness, as injured people were stretchered away. After that, the area was closed and guarded by fully armed security personnel.
Presidential candidate Jorge Álvarez Máynez said he was not injured in the incident that occurred during his campaign event in the northeastern city of San Pedro Garza García.
“Very sad, very worried. Especially when I was given the news that among the dead there were minors,” Álvarez Máynez told the media.
Meanwhile, it was reported CNN, The governor of Mexico's Nuevo Leon state said at least 54 people were injured and rescue operations were under way to rescue several people trapped under the rubble.
Among the dead was one minor, Governor Samuel García Sepúlveda said in a post on X, adding that some of those injured were in stable condition while others were undergoing surgery.
Nearby observations from Monterrey showed a thunderstorm packing strong winds of at least 40 to 50 kilometers per hour. The location of the stage is most likely affected by wind gusts, which is when strong winds suddenly appear and change direction from nearby thunderstorms.
Álvarez Máynez later said that he stopped all campaign activities following the disaster but would remain in the state to monitor the situation and victims.
“We must have solidarity, nothing can repair accidents, damage like this, and [orang] will not be alone in this tragedy and bear the consequences that this tragedy will have in their lives,” said Álvarez Máynez.
Alvarez is known to be a 38 year old congressman. He represents the center-left Citizens' Movement party, and was named the party's candidate in January after García Sepúlveda left office.
García Sepúlveda was forced to return to his duties as governor when political chaos erupted under a temporary replacement of government, making his presidential campaign unsustainable.
[Gambas:Video CNBC]
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