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Valencian Community records 20 medical emergencies during solar eclipse
More than 500 people were treated across 14 autonomous communities in Spain
The huge crowds that gathered across Spain to watch Wednesday's total solar eclipse led to more than 500 people receiving medical attention, although there were no major health incidents linked to the event.
People were treated in 14 autonomous communities, with eye problems among the most common reasons for seeking help. Health services will continue to keep an eye on the situation over the coming days because some problems caused by looking directly at the Sun can take time to appear.
The overall picture has nevertheless been reassuring, with the vast majority of people taking sensible precautions while watching the eclipse.
The Valencian Community saw hundreds of thousands of people head outdoors for the event, with emergency health teams carrying out 20 interventions during Wednesday afternoon and evening.
Of those cases, three involved minor eye problems, while 11 people were treated for injuries and bruising. Emergency teams also dealt with five cases of fainting and one person who suffered an anxiety attack.
Twelve of the 20 people treated in the Valencian Community were taken to hospitals or health centres for further medical attention.
Despite the large crowds and the number of people requiring assistance, authorities reported no serious incidents during the afternoon or evening.
The eclipse was one of the biggest astronomical events to be seen from Spain in decades, drawing enormous crowds to viewing locations across the country.
Emergency services had been preparing for the event in advance, with additional resources put in place in areas expecting particularly large numbers of visitors.
The fact that more than 500 people needed medical attention might sound alarming, but the cases reported so far have largely been minor. The health response has therefore been described as calm, with people generally following advice about safely viewing the eclipse.
Health professionals are still urging anyone who develops blurred or distorted vision, unusual sensitivity to light, changes in colour perception or dark spots in their vision after watching the eclipse to seek medical advice.
Image: Proyecto Mastral
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