On August 12, an eclipse captured the attention of many Lanzarote residents, who gathered across the island to view it safely with approved glasses.
Enrique Espinosa, manager of the Lanzarote and La Graciosa Safety and Emergency Consortium, shared insights about the event from a security and emergency perspective. He described the day as a test run for next year’s eclipse, set for August 2, which promises 90% visibility compared to the 76% experienced this year. The significant interest led to heavy traffic and crowds, particularly around La Santa, where a company distributed 2,000 pairs of glasses for free. Local police and the Civil Guard had prepared for the event to manage potential issues.
Espinosa noted that while the distribution of glasses went smoothly in most areas, La Santa faced a few challenges. He reassured that lessons learned this year would help improve next year’s distribution plans across the island, given the many accessible viewing points.
Looking ahead, Espinosa expects local opticians and pharmacies to stock more glasses in anticipation of heightened demand. He announced plans to implement an Island Defense Plan next year to ensure better coordination and reduce crowding.
The day brought together locals and visitors, turning the summer into a memorable experience as they marvelled at the celestial event.
