Gust of wind topples the stage during the campaign rally for the Mexican presidential candidate, injured people report

A strong gust of wind toppled part of the stage at a campaign rally Wednesday night in northern Mexico, sending a long-awaited Mexican presidential candidate fleeing for safety. Injuries to other people were reported.

Candidate Jorge Álvarez Máynez wrote in his social media accounts that he went to a hospital after the accident at a campaign rally in the wealthy suburb of San Pedro Garza Garcia, near the city of Monterrey. He said there were “casualties” but did not say how many or how badly they were injured.

Álvarez Máynez wrote that he was “doing well” but did not indicate why he went to the hospital.

“The only thing that is important at this time is the care of the accident victims,” he wrote.

Samuel Garcia, the governor of the northern border state of Nuevo Leon and a leading member of Álvarez Máynez’s Civic Movement party, said in a recorded statement that “unfortunately (people) were injured.”

Miguel Treviño, the mayor of San Pedro Garza Garcia, wrote in his social media accounts that “people have been reported trapped and injured. My prayers are with the victims.”

Garcia said the “strong wind blew a stage during a closing campaign.” Such events will be held this week and next in anticipation of the June 2 presidential, state and municipal elections.

Video of the crash posted on social media showed Máynez waving his arm as the crowd chanted his name. But then he looked up and saw a giant screen and metal structure tumbling towards him.

Álvarez Máynez ran very quickly to the back of the stage to avoid the falling structure, which appeared to consist of relatively light frameworks and what appeared to be a screen with the party’s logo and theater-style lights.

Álvarez Máynez is third in the polls in the presidential race, behind front-runner Claudia Sheinbaum of the ruling Morena party and opposition coalition candidate Xóchitl Gálvez.

The election season has been teased so far by the assassination of approximately twenty candidates for local office. But it has not been marred by campaign mishaps.