Catalonia will mobilize 700 police and emergency staff for the August 12 solar eclipse. Authorities expect 50,000 visitors at 23 official viewing sites. Strict traffic controls and health warnings are in place.
Catalonia is preparing for an unprecedented influx of visitors on August 12, when a rare solar eclipse will be visible in the region for the first time in over a century. With up to 50,000 people expected to travel to the south and west of the region, the Generalitat has announced a large-scale security and logistics operation involving 700 Mossos d'Esquadra officers and reinforced emergency services.
Authorities have designated 23 official observation points across 18 municipalities, selected for their capacity, accessibility, and safety. These sites were chosen to ensure the eclipse's total phase lasts over a minute and to avoid areas at risk of chemical hazards or flooding. An additional 60 municipalities have set up viewing areas, but only the official points meet all safety and logistical criteria.
To manage the anticipated crowds, local administrations are organizing activities at observation sites, including concerts and opportunities to watch the Perseids meteor shower, aiming to stagger departures and prevent mass exits after the eclipse. The Servei Català del Trànsit has highlighted concerns about congestion on the AP-7 motorway, which is prone to summer traffic jams, especially near the Ebro area. To reduce pressure, drivers are urged to use alternative routes such as the A-2, C-25, or AP-2, and to avoid unnecessary travel by car. Dynamic patrols will monitor the AP-7 to prevent vehicles from stopping on the road to view the eclipse, and truck restrictions will be enforced from 14:00 to 24:00, with specific segments to be confirmed.
The Mossos d'Esquadra will implement a three-phase security plan: pre-alert checks from August 8 to 11, maximum alert on the day of the eclipse, and a post-event phase to ensure safe departures. The operation will include uniformed and plainclothes officers, environmental and traffic units, riot police, drones, helicopters, and aquatic teams. Civil Protection will activate existing emergency plans, focusing on fire and storm risks, and will issue alerts as needed. The 112 emergency line will increase its staff by 15% to handle an expected surge in calls, from the usual 40-45 operators to 59.
Health authorities are warning of the risk of irreversible eye damage from looking directly at the sun. Only ISO 12312-2 certified eclipse glasses are considered safe, and 150,000 pairs will be distributed free at official sites. Improvised filters such as X-rays, photo negatives, or viewing through cameras and binoculars are strongly discouraged. Indirect observation methods, like projecting the sun's image onto a surface, are recommended. With many people expected to spend hours outdoors, officials also advise sun protection, hydration, and precautions against insect bites.
The eclipse is also being used as an opportunity for scientific outreach. The Department of Research has launched the "Cataluña mira al cielo" campaign, organizing educational activities in schools, prisons, and summer camps, and providing information through a dedicated website. Municipalities are contributing with their own programs to engage the public in scientific discovery.
Solar eclipses are rare in Spain, with the last total eclipse visible from Catalonia occurring in 1905. The next event of this scale is not expected for another 150 years. Such phenomena attract significant public interest and require extensive coordination between police, emergency services, and local authorities to ensure safety and minimize disruption. The combination of summer holidays and the unique nature of the event has prompted Catalonia to implement one of its most comprehensive public safety operations in recent years.
