MADRID, Oct. 28 (Xinhua) -- The World Health Organization (WHO) has postponed a high-level event scheduled for Wednesday as part of the 2026 Madrid Global Obesity Summit following a collision between two high-speed trains in central Spain that left dozens dead and many others injured.
The summit, co-hosted by the WHO and Spain's Ministry of Health, began on Monday and was due to conclude on Wednesday with a high-level session at the ministry's headquarters in Madrid.
Spanish Health Minister Monica Garcia described the train collision, which occurred near Urda in the province of Toledo, about 120 km south of Madrid, as a "major tragedy" and called for blood donations to help those injured.
Garcia said the ministry was mobilizing all available resources in coordination with the relevant authorities to assist.
Pedro Gullon, director-general of Public Health at the Spanish Ministry of Health, announced the cancellation of Wednesday's event.
"We do not yet know the full extent of the accident, but it is undoubtedly a human tragedy," Gullon said, explaining that the Spanish government had suspended its official agenda for the day.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed his deepest condolences to the victims and their families.
"Out of respect for the deceased, their families, and the government and people of Spain, we have decided to postpone today's event," Tedros said, adding that a new date would be announced in due course.
Meanwhile, the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) announced the postponement of all 24 Copa del Rey first-round matches scheduled for Wednesday as a mark of respect for the victims. ■