At least nine dead after stage collapses at campaign rally in Mexico | Election news

A child was reportedly among the dead after a stage collapsed in strong winds at a rally in the state of Nuevo León.

A stage in northern Mexico collapsed as strong winds ripped through a presidential candidate’s campaign rally. At least nine people were killed and around 50 others were injured, authorities said.

The collapse occurred on Wednesday during a campaign rally of the Citizens’ Movement party in the town of San Pedro Garza Garcia, in the state of Nuevo Leon. A video on social media showed the structure falling forward into the crowd, sending screaming participants flying.

“I have just visited Clinic 7 and unfortunately have to report that so far 8 adults and 1 minor have died in the accident. The condition of the injured in this clinic is now stable,” Nuevo Leon Governor Samuel Garcia said in a post on X.

Returning to the scene of the accident after being examined at the local hospital, Jorge Alvarez Maynez, the presidential candidate of the Citizens’ Movement Party, expressed his hope that the authorities would investigate the incident and called for transparency in the process.

“I have never experienced anything so sudden,” said Alvarez Maynez, pointing out how suddenly the wind increased.

Members of the Mexican National Guard and army are on site to provide support, Interior Minister Luisa Alcalde said on social media.

Miguel Trevino, the mayor of San Pedro Garza Garcia, wrote on social media: “There are reports of people trapped and injured. My prayers are with the victims.”

In the run-up to the presidential, state and local elections on June 2, campaign events will take place this week and next.

Alvarez Maynez, who has now suspended his campaign events, is in third place in the polls, behind frontrunner Claudia Sheinbaum of the ruling Morena party and opposition coalition candidate Xóchitl Gálvez.

The election campaign has so far been complicated by the murders of about two dozen candidates for local office.