Fall of structure in gastronomic exhibition leaves 11 injured in Hidalgo

On Sunday afternoon, April 3, 11 people were injured after the fall of a tarp approximately 15 meters wide during the 41st edition of the gastronomic exhibition of Santiago de Anaya in the state of Hidalgo.

Through his official Twitter account, the governor of the state, Omar Fayad, regretted the events that occurred in the indigenous community and reported which immediately issued instructions to the State Ministry of Health to deal with the accident.

Similarly, security and civil protection personnel went to the scene of the mishap to support and transfer the injured persons to the General Hospital of Actopan, as reported by the State Security Agency.

For its part, the City Council of Santiago de Anaya, Hidalgo issued a statement through its website where it was reported that as a result of the accident that occurred in the gastronomic exhibition, authorities all measures were already being taken immediately to support the people affected.

According to the statement, three of the 11 injured people remain hospitalized and under observation, while two others are in poor health.

Around 3:45pm, a tornado and strong gusts of wind caused the structure to fall on exhibitors and visitors; in the panic of the people, the attendees began to organize themselves to remain calm and transport the wounded.

In the absence of stretchers, some of the injured were moved on the same portable tables used by the exhibitors to place their products.

Derived from the COVID-19 pandemic, the gastronomic exhibition of Santiago de Anaya in Hidalgo had been taking place virtually for two years, however, this 2022 with the partially controlled health emergency, its 41st edition was once again held in face-to-face format.

It is worth mentioning that this cultural event of the indigenous community of Hidalgo arises from a cleaning day organized by the Municipal Development Center, where at the end of the activity, the inhabitants of the region gathered under the shadow of a mesquite to share their food. Realizing the wide variety of flavors and colors, it was proposed to hold a cymbal contest.

The first edition of the competition was held on the eve of Easter in 1980, with the participation of 12 people. Among the winning dishes were delicacies such as escamole broth, gualumbo cakes breaded with ranch egg and rabbit stew in mole de olla.

According to the website of the city council of Santiago de Anaya, among the inhabitants of the region there is a famous phrase that says: “In the Mezquital Valley everything that flies or flies goes to the casserole” and is that its gastronomic exhibition is characterized by presenting dishes made with animals such as field rats, squirrels, birds and vegetables originating in the community.

Starting in 2000, the competition changed its character to being a “Gastronomic Fair” which takes place annually during the first week of April and activities such as the gastronomic and craft exhibition, food, drink and dessert competition, as well as artistic and cultural events are held. Every year more than 1,500 traditional cooks from different parts of the Mezquital Valley participate, and it has also been visited by up to 30 thousand people.

The gastronomic exhibition of Santiago de Anaya has become the oldest event of this type in the country and a benchmark of the culture of the state of Hidalgo.

KEEP READING: