At least nine people were killed and dozens more injured at a campaign rally in northern Mexico on Wednesday night after a strong gust of wind blew down the stage.
The demonstration was taking place in favor of presidential candidate Jorge Álvarez Máynez in the Mexican state of Nuevo León, according to The Associated Press. Máynez went to the hospital after the incident, but later announced that he was in good condition.
He also said he suspended upcoming campaign events, adding that the victims “will not be alone in this tragedy.”
“The only important thing at this moment is to care for the victims of the accident,” he said.
CANDIDATE FOR MAYOR, ANOTHER 5 DEAD BY SHOOTING AT A CAMPAIGN MEETING IN SOUTHERN MEXICO
A campaign rally for Mexican presidential candidate Jorge Álvarez Máynez turned deadly Wednesday night after a strong gust of wind blew down the stage, killing at least nine people and injuring 63 others. (JULIO CESAR AGUILAR/AFP via Getty Images)
Nuevo León Governor Samuel García, a prominent member of Máynez's Citizen Movement party, said at least nine people, including a child, were killed and 63 were injured.
He also posted a video message asking residents in the area to shelter in place at home for the next two hours due to the weather.
Videos from the demonstration showed Máynez waving his arm and the crowd chanting his name when he noticed a giant screen and a metal structure falling in his direction, the AP reported. He was able to run to the back of the stage to escape the collapsing structure.
The Mexican presidential candidate, Jorge Álvarez Máynez, was on stage when a strong gust of wind caused a giant screen and a metal structure to fall in his direction. (AP Photo/Alberto López)
According to the AP, other campaign attendees, many of whom were screaming, could be seen fleeing as some crawled out from under collapsed metal poles.
ANOTHER MEXICAN POLITICIAN KILLED ON THE EVE OF THE JUNE NATIONAL ELECTIONS
Máynez, who is polling third in the country's presidential race, has been trailing Claudia Sheinbaum and Xóchitl Gálvez, who sent their condolences shortly after the tragic event occurred.
Sheinbaum, who heads the group, said he canceled a Thursday campaign event in the nearby city of Monterrey “in solidarity” with the victims and their families.
Gálvez wrote on his social networks: “My deepest condolences and prayers to the families of the deceased, and my wishes for a speedy recovery to all the injured.”
The governor of Nuevo León, Samuel García, asked residents of the area to shelter in place in their homes for two hours after strong gusts of wind in the northern Mexican state became deadly. (AP Photo/Alberto López)
Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador also shared his condolences and said he “sends a hug to family, friends of the victims and political supporters.”
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Mexico is at the height of its campaign season, with presidential, state and municipal elections taking place on June 2.
In addition to Wednesday night's deadly weather event, the campaign season has also been plagued by the murders of about two dozen candidates for local office.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
