Nine people have died and 50 others are injured after a stage collapsed at a Mexican election campaign rally.
High winds caused the concert-style structure to fall through at the rally for the Citizens' Movement party in the northern Mexican state of Nuevo Leon.
The state's governor, Samuel Garcia, said the victims include eight adults and one child.
Many of the injured were being treated at local clinics, the director of Mexico's Social Security Institute reported.
High winds caused the concert-style structure to fall through at the rally for the Citizens' Movement party in the northern Mexican state of Nuevo Leon
Reuters
A gust of wind caused the stage to collapse at the event in the city of San Pedro Garza Garci, Jorge Alvarez Maynez, the presidential candidate for the centrist Citizens' Movement party said.
"I've never experienced something so sudden," Alvarez Maynez said as he referred to how quickly the wind picked up.
Video footage shows the stage thrusting forward into the crowd, while politicians and panicked attendees run for cover.
Alvarez Maynez was given the all-clear by the hospital before he returned to the scene of the incident.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
He said he was suspending campaign activities and that he hoped authorities investigate what had happened.
Mayoral candidate for San Pedro Garza Garcia, Lorenia Canavati, wrote on social media that she was coordinating with officials to support those impacted and their families.
Mexico's national guard and the army were called to the scene to provide support.
Residents are being urged to remain indoors amid strong thunderstorms in the area.
Mexico's national guard and the army were called to the scene to provide support
Reuters
Alvarez Maynez trails behind in third place in Mexico's presidential election, according to the latest poll.
Ruling party candidate Claudia Sheinbaum leads while Xochitl Galvez, who represents a broad opposition coalition, places second.
Galvez and Sheinbaum both offered condolences for the families of the victims.
