Total darkness, then sunset as full eclipse wows spectators in Spain

A total solar eclipse swept across the north of Spain on Wednesday evening, plunging the region into darkness and capturing the attention of spectators across the country. Spain prepared for the rare celestial event by deploying a large police force and setting up designated viewing locations in rural areas with the best views. In Buitrago de Lozoya, near Madrid, viewers applauded and cheered as the sky darkened and Bailey’s beads, bright points of sunlight around the edge of the moon, were glimpsed shortly after 8:30 p.m. local time.

The stunning phenomenon, comparable to dawn and sunset, left many, including economist Diego Fernandez, with a sense of amazement and deception. The eclipse followed a less impressive display over overcast Iceland, where holidaymakers and locals managed to see the event through a break in the clouds in the far west of the country.

Millions gathered in Iceland and northern Spain to witness the first total solar eclipse in Western Europe in 27 years. Brian May, former Queen guitarist, joined the event, documenting the experience on Instagram. Authorities were braced for up to 6 million visitors, particularly in rural areas along the eclipse's path in northern Spain and the Balearic Islands.

The event, last witnessed in Spain in 1912, provided an opportunity for Spain to promote less-traveled regions and attract tourists. The eclipse occurred during a period of heightened wildfire risk, prompting authorities to deploy extensive police and firefighting resources. Despite minor incidents, such as a fire near an eclipse viewing point in Peñíscola, no major wildfires were reported.

In Iceland, glasses for safe viewing had sold out days in advance, with up to 80,000 visitors drawn to Reykjavik. The eclipse, which lasted up to 2 minutes and 13 seconds in the far west of the island, attracted both casual observers and "eclipse chasers" from around the globe.