Nine people died and dozens were injured on May 22, when a fierce wind surge caused the collapse of a stage at a campaign rally for Lorenia Canavati, the Citizens Movement (MC) candidate for mayor of San Pedro Garza García, Nuevo Leon.
In addition to Canavati, the MC’s presidential candidate Jorge Álvarez Máynez was on the stage at the moment of the collapse. Neither were reported injured.
The metal stage had been erected in a Monterrey baseball field on Wednesday, May 22. The incident occurred shortly after 8 p.m., just before the popular norteña band Bronco was due to perform.
Nuevo Leon’s MC Governor Samuel García rushed to the scene, telling reporters that the storm had not been forecast and “took everyone by surprise.”
Although the National Meteorological Service (SMN) had reported the presence of heavy rains and showers in the region, only wind gusts of 50 to 70 kilometers per hour were anticipated. The service later clarified that the stage collapse was provoked by an abrupt and unpredictable change in wind speed, perhaps 100 kilometers per hour or even higher.
As of Thursday evening, around 70 people were still hospitalized, according to local reports. The deceased included an 11-year-old boy.
Part of the metropolitan area of Monterrey, San Pedro Garza García is often labeled the richest municipality in the whole of Mexico.