The coastline of Matalascañas in the province of Huelva has become the scene of a real drama. After a recent storm struck southwest Andalusia, the sea literally swallowed part of the beach, and the famous Torre de la Higuera was once again surrounded by water. Locals and visitors are witnessing the relentless force of nature erase the familiar landscape, with dozens of houses and hotels now at risk of collapse.
Authorities in the municipality of Almonte estimate the damage at nine million euros. Local officials are openly frustrated, blaming the Ministry for the Ecological Transition for inaction and delays. They say urgent requests to restore the beach were ignored, and now the consequences are catastrophic. As a result, about fifty buildings have been put in jeopardy, and one home had to be evacuated.
Resort under threat
Matalascañas is more than just a small coastal village. Normally, only about 2,500 people live here, but in summer the population swells to 150,000. It’s a favorite holiday spot for residents of Huelva and Sevilla. Now, however, the resort is at risk of losing its appeal: the beach is disappearing and the infrastructure is visibly crumbling.
Mayor Francisco Bella does not hide his outrage. He claims the tragedy was foreseeable and blames the ministry for failing to take necessary action. According to him, work to reinforce the beach should have begun before the storm, especially in the Poblado Andaluz area, which suffered the most severe damage.
Emergency measures
The military had to intervene: the Emergency Military Unit was deployed to assist. Their mission is to assess risks and prevent further damage. Authorities have urgently requested that the area be declared a disaster zone in order to receive additional resources for recovery.
At the same time, representatives of the government and the Andalusia autonomous community held an emergency meeting with the municipality. It was decided that restoration of the beach would begin within a week. Special equipment will be used: sand will be pumped through a one-kilometer pipe to restore the beach’s original width of 25 meters. In addition, the construction of breakwaters is planned to protect the coastline from future storms.
Conflict of interests
But behind the scenes, it’s not just a battle with the aftermath of the storm—there’s also a heated political conflict unfolding. The mayor of Almonte is openly at odds with the ministry headed by Sara Aagesen. He points out that out of the municipality’s 56 kilometers of coastline, only four are developed, and all permits were obtained fully in accordance with the law. Now, however, the ministry is proposing a radical solution—moving the promenade inland.
Local authorities believe this step would trigger mass property seizures and hefty compensation payouts. More than 300 buildings dating back to the 1960s could face demolition. The mayor argues that such proposals ignore the interests of residents and businesses and fail to address the core problem—the loss of sand from the beach.
Causes and consequences
According to the municipality, one of the main reasons for the erosion is an old breakwater built over half a century ago. It disrupts the natural flow of sand, causing the beach to lose hundreds of cubic meters every year. Locals insist they shouldn’t have to pay for the mistakes of the past—the responsibility lies with the state.
The future of Matalascañas and the entire Doñana coastline remains uncertain. Difficult negotiations lie ahead between the municipality, the government, and the ministry. A meeting has already been scheduled in Madrid, where the parties will attempt to reach a compromise. The mayor stresses that any decisions must take into account the views of local residents, rather than being imposed from above.
Searching for a solution
For now, the beach remains at risk, and weather forecasts offer little optimism. Unless urgent action is taken soon, the consequences could become irreversible. Authorities promise to find a ‘lifeline’ for the resort, but there is almost no time left to deliberate.
The situation in Matalascañas is a wake-up call for all coastal regions of Spain. Nature spares no one, and bureaucratic disputes only make things worse. The issue is not just about money and technology, but also about the ability to cooperate for a common future.
