{
  "id": 566101,
  "title": "Solar eclipse sparks scramble for protective glasses across Europe",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/11/solar-eclipse-sparks-scramble-for-protective-glasses-across-europe-566101",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-08-11T12:40:53.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Local Spain",
    "slug": "the-local-spain-thelocal",
    "url": "https://www.thelocal.es/20260811/solar-eclipse-sparks-scramble-for-protective-glasses-across-europe"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A rare total solar eclipse is prompting a frantic hunt for protective eyewear across Europe, with pharmacies and opticians struggling to keep glasses in stock. Spain, where the path of totality passes, is facing the most acute shortage, with many stores reporting they have sold out or run out. Madrid's National Museum of Natural Sciences distributed two million free glasses through a government campaign, but many pharmacies still have supplies, generally selling certified glasses for €3-€4 a pair. Carles Sisquella, an optical shop owner in Barcelona, said his store has been out of stock for 10 days. Doctors warn that looking directly at the Sun during a solar eclipse can damage the retina. In Brussels, where the eclipse will cover about 90 percent of the Sun, customers have been racing to find glasses, with some pastry chefs and opticians managing to secure last-minute shipments. France's partial eclipse has led to varying supply situations, with some pharmacies having sold out and others still receiving shipments, charging higher prices. In Portugal, the Club da Visao network, which offered free glasses, has seen supplies run out at many locations. Authorities in Spain have withdrawn six models of glasses from sale due to eye injury risks.",
  "summary": "The scramble for protective glasses has reached fever pitch across Europe ahead of Wednesday's rare total solar eclipse, as pharmacies, opticians and other shops struggle to keep them in stock.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 10,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Toronto Sun",
        "title": "Solar eclipse sparks scramble for protective glasses across Europe",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/11/solar-eclipse-sparks-scramble-for-protective-glasses-across-europe-564657",
        "published": "2026-08-11T11:53:50.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Local Germany",
        "title": "Solar eclipse sparks scramble for protective glasses across Europe",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/11/solar-eclipse-sparks-scramble-for-protective-glasses-across-europe-565397",
        "published": "2026-08-11T12:40:53.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Local Spain",
        "title": "Solar eclipse sparks scramble for protective glasses across Europe",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/11/solar-eclipse-sparks-scramble-for-protective-glasses-across-europe-565467",
        "published": "2026-08-11T12:40:53.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Local France",
        "title": "Solar eclipse sparks scramble for protective glasses across Europe",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/11/solar-eclipse-sparks-scramble-for-protective-glasses-across-europe-565381",
        "published": "2026-08-11T12:40:53.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Local Sweden",
        "title": "Solar eclipse sparks scramble for protective glasses across Europe",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/11/solar-eclipse-sparks-scramble-for-protective-glasses-across-europe-566370",
        "published": "2026-08-11T12:40:53.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Punch",
        "title": "Solar eclipse sparks scramble for protective glasses across Europe",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/11/solar-eclipse-sparks-scramble-for-protective-glasses-across-europe",
        "published": "2026-08-11T12:44:52.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Phys.org",
        "title": "Solar eclipse sparks scramble for protective glasses across Europe",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/11/solar-eclipse-sparks-scramble-for-protective-glasses-across-europe-585842",
        "published": "2026-08-11T17:00:04.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "BBC Science",
        "title": "Solar eclipse glasses 'sold out everywhere' as people look for alternatives",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/11/solar-eclipse-glasses-sold-out-everywhere-as-people-look-for",
        "published": "2026-08-11T17:58:11.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Smithsonian",
        "title": "How to Watch the Total Solar Eclipse on a Live Stream, Witnessing the Rare View of the Sun's Corona From Your Own Home",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/11/how-to-watch-the-total-solar-eclipse-on-a-live-stream-witnessing-the",
        "published": "2026-08-11T20:35:29.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}