Ships, private jets - and fear of accidents: frenzy in Spain ahead of rare solar eclipse

A total solar eclipse will appear today in Europe for the first time since 1999, lasting about two minutes and 18 seconds. In Spain, where it is the first eclipse in a hundred years, record demand for viewing has been recorded, including the rental of private jets and ships. The Catalan government is preparing to prevent traffic jams and accidents, and authorities have published health guidelines for viewers.

A total solar eclipse will appear today (Wednesday) in the skies of Europe for the first time since 1999, lasting about two minutes and 18 seconds. The path will begin in northeastern Siberia, cross the ice sheet of Greenland, pass the western tip of Iceland, cross the northern Atlantic Ocean to northern Spain, and continue along the entire Iberian Peninsula from the Cantabrian coast to the Mediterranean Sea. In Spain, where this is the first total eclipse in more than a hundred years, extraordinary demand for viewing the event has been recorded: tens of thousands of people have reserved spots on beaches, others have rented ships to watch at sea, and wealthy businesspeople have rented private jets. The Catalan government is preparing a large-scale operation involving civil protection services, the Catalan police, rural agents, and local police forces, aiming to prevent traffic jams and road accidents, as there is concern that drivers will stop to watch the eclipse or not look at the road. The heavy heat and fear of fires have led to the closure of several natural parks. Authorities have published information to protect the health of viewers; Dr. Valero Sebastián, spokesperson for the Health Promotion Committee of the Spanish Association of Pediatrics (AEP), noted that although children are not at greater biological risk of eye damage, their curiosity and tendency to act impulsively make it especially important that they understand why it is forbidden to look directly at the sun without protection.