No Comment Video. Half a million visitors flock to Spain’s path of total solar eclipse Copy/paste the link below: Copy/paste the article video embed link below: Updated: 13/08/2026 - 8:28 GMT+2 Spain witnessed its first total solar eclipse in more than a century on Wednesday 12 August, drawing millions of people to viewing sites across the north of the country as the Moon passed directly in front of the Sun. In Medinaceli, a hilltop town in north-eastern Spain, spectators arrived hours early with chairs, hats and eclipse glasses to secure a clear view before the event reached totality shortly before sunset. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT Getxo, a coastal town just north-west of Bilbao in the Basque Country, also lay within the narrow path of totality. There, the Moon completely covered the Sun for only a few seconds at around 20:27 CEST, with the Sun just 8 degrees above the western horizon. Totality lasted for about one minute in Spain before the eclipse moved towards the Mediterranean. The longest total phase, lasting less than 2.5 minutes, was recorded farther north off Iceland's west coast. Spanish authorities had expected at least 500,000 additional visitors along the eclipse path, putting pressure on hotels and local services. The event also came as Spain faced scorching summer temperatures and wildfires, prompting authorities to launch a major public safety campaign. Spain Total solar eclipse Astronomy Celestial escapes Tourism Top stories Now playing Next Half a million visitors flock to Spain’s path of total solar eclipse Now playing Next Rare eclipse plunges parts of Europe into darkness Now playing Next Quake leaves Colombian towns in ruins as Valle del Cauca counts dead Now playing Next Latest news bulletin | August 13th, 2026 – Morning Now playing Next 'I think we will keep it,' Trump says about control of Hormuz strait Now playing Next Latest news bulletin | August 12th, 2026 – Evening Now playing Next Latest news bulletin | August 12th, 2026 – Midday Now playing Next Music brings cultures together In partnership with Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan Now playing Next Putin threatens retaliatory seizures of European ships Now playing Next How to protect your eyes while watching the solar eclipse Now playing Next Solar eclipse plunges large swathe of Spain into total darkness Now playing Next Solar eclipse: How will animals react when the sun goes dark? Now playing Next Tourist guides raise the alarm as Europe braces for another heatwave Now playing Next Solar eclipse plunges parts of Spain into total darkness in first such event in a century Now playing Next Grand Voyager | Exploring Switzerland and its wonders Now playing Next Extreme heat: Half of Europe's population exposed to temperatures exceeding 30C ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT No Comment Colombia quake rescuers save woman after 36 hours trapped in rubble No Comment Moment Cali hospital collapses after powerful Colombia earthquake No Comment Europe scrambles for eclipse glasses as solar power output set to dip No Comment Bulgaria lights up its Black Sea coast with digital art festival Culture news ‘The Office’ star British actor Lucy Davis reveals incurable cancer diagnosis Europe News Germany beefs up its intelligence services as threat from 'foreign powers' rises Lifestyle Fragrant fortunes: Doha's Teeb Al Hazm plans London debut as Gulf perfumes gain wider appeal Europe News Mount Etna eruption: Catania airport closes and ash cloud reaches as far as Libya Tech News British driver sets speed record in hydrogen-powered car Health news E-scooters ‘public health challenge’ as number of injuries involving kids soared 15 times in UK Europe News Two killed in Kherson as Ukraine hits Russia's Black Sea naval base Europe News Europe readies for total solar eclipse- So, what will happen in the once-in-a-generation stellar spectacle? ADVERTISEMENT Europe News Putin threatens retaliatory seizures of European ships The Cube Fake videos and false allegations target candidates in French 2027 presidential election Europe News Morocco accuses Spain of assaulting migrants crossing into Ceuta and claims sovereignty over enclave Europe News Italy: Po River runs low amid prolonged heat and drought Colombia Colombia: Rescuers search for survivors after 7.6 magnitude earthquake kills 216 people Nature Anxious dogs and silent birds: What happens to animals during a total solar eclipse? Russia Russia frees former US Marine Robert Gilman after more than four years in prison Europe News Paris tightens rules on electric scooters and other rideables ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT
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The US is now using the ‘terrorist’ label to interfere in Brazil’s election
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