In brief
On 28 October 2026 a collision between two high‑speed trains near Urda in the province of Toledo left dozens dead and many injured, compelling the World Health Organization to postpone the high‑level session of the Madrid Global Obesity Summit. Spanish officials, including Health Minister Monica Garcia and Pedro Gullon, expressed condolences and coordinated relief efforts while the Spanish Ministry of Health suspended its official agenda for the day. WHO Director‑General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus announced the postponement, citing respect for victims and their families, with a new date to be announced later.
On 28 October 2026 the World Health Organization announced that it would postpone the high‑level session of the Madrid Global Obesity Summit scheduled for Wednesday, following the collision of two high‑speed trains near Urda in the province of Toledo, about 120 kilometres south of Madrid.
The deadly collision, reported by Spanish authorities, left dozens of people dead and many others injured. High‑speed rail services on the Madrid‑Andalusia line were suspended in both directions after the incident.
The Madrid Global Obesity Summit, co‑hosted by the WHO and Spain's Ministry of Health, began on Monday and was set to conclude on Wednesday with a high‑level session at the ministry's headquarters in Madrid. The event was cancelled for the day.
Spanish Health Minister Monica Garcia called the collision a “major tragedy” and urged citizens to donate blood to support the injured. She said the ministry was mobilizing all available resources in coordination with the relevant authorities to assist the victims.
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.
Out of respect for the deceased, their families, and the government and people of Spain, we have decided to postpone today’s event. I will announce a new date in due course.
In the sentence above, WHO Director‑General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed his deepest condolences to the victims and their families.
In addition to the summit cancellation, the Royal Spanish Football Federation announced that all 24 Copa del Rey first‑round matches scheduled for Wednesday would also be postponed as a mark of respect for the victims.
Spanish authorities have yet to publish a new date for the summit’s high‑level session. The WHO has pledged to inform participants once a replacement date has been determined.
