Palma suspends the San Sebastián festival due to the Córdoba train accident

PalmThe Palma City Council has decided to cancel all official events scheduled for the San Sebastián festivities as a sign of official mourning, remembrance and solidarity with the victims of the train accident that occurred this Sunday in Adamuz, in the province of Córdoba.

According to a statement from the Palma City Council (Cort), the decision was made in response to the tragedy, to show respect for the deceased, their families, and all those affected by the disaster. As a symbol of official mourning, the flags at City Hall will fly at half-mast from 12:00 noon today until midnight on January 23. Deputy Mayor and Councillor for Citizen Participation, Lourdes Roca, stated that "it was not an easy decision to make," but clarified that "given the gravity of the events, we considered no alternative other than canceling all official festive events and celebrations related to Sant Seba."

Thus, all events planned for the San Sebastián festival this Monday, January 19, have been suspended, including the lighting of the bonfire in the Plaza Mayor, the traditional street party, and the concerts scheduled in the Plaza de España, Plaza de Cort, and Plaza de Juan Carlos I. However, the City Council has explained that the toasters will not be removed from the squares.

The City Council has also recommended that organizers of unofficial activities suspend their other celebrations as a sign of respect and solidarity. Therefore, the Diada Ciclista (Cycling Day) and the Ciutat de Palma awards ceremony, both scheduled for Tuesday, January 20, have also been canceled. The awards ceremony will be rescheduled soon with an official event in the plenary hall. Neither the mayor of Palma, Jaime Martínez Llabrés, nor the city councilors of the governing team will attend tomorrow's celebrations at the Cathedral and the Church of San Sebastián in honor of the patron saint. The City Council has expressed its deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims and the injured, and has expressed its support for the emergency and rescue teams working to assist those affected.