Mérida, Yucatán — A fun day of food and music was cut short when a large tent fell on hundreds of festival attendees taking shelter in heavy rain and strong winds Saturday afternoon.
The Gran Asadero food festival at Jardín de Eventos Carta Clara, in the east of the city, coincided with a stormy and destructive storm that took many by surprise.
Videos posted on social media show men attempting to hold up one side of the “Gran Domo, Zona de Foodlovers” while others scattered. According to a festival map, a play space for children was also stationed under the large tent.
An ambulance took a pregnant woman to the hospital, and a man hit by the tent had a panic attack. Authorities evacuated the park.
That ended activities for the day, but the festival is scheduled to continue today (Sunday), and organizers have not announced any change of plans.
This was the festival’s first appearance in Mérida. It centers on grilled meats, served with craft beers. Live music and grilling showdowns were scheduled to entertain the crowds.
On Friday, just 24 hours earlier, another flash storm toppled a monument in Progreso.
Source: Multiple media reports
