Total solar eclipse plunges Spain and Russia into twilight

The sky turned to night in the middle of the afternoon as a total solar eclipse swept across the globe on Wednesday. The rare astronomical event plunged regions from the Russian Arctic to Spain's Mediterranean islands into darkness, drawing the awe and excitement of millions of Europeans.

In Spain, observers gathered in locations like Tarragona and Colmenar Viejo to witness the spectacle. "I almost cried, I got a shiver down my spine, it was beautiful," said Alejandro Cuesta, a 30-year-old scientific researcher in Tarragona. Another observer, Rosa María Zamora, a 72-year-old retiree who traveled from Madrid, called it "Spectacular, very beautiful indeed. A unique moment."

The moon completely obscured the sun, revealing its fiery corona and casting a temporary twilight over the landscape. Attendees shared hugs and cheers in amazement. The eclipse traversed Spain diagonally, from the northwest Atlantic coast to the Balearic Islands, disappearing into the Mediterranean around 18:30 GMT. While the total phase lasted less than two minutes in most fortunate areas, the entire event spanned nearly two hours.

Similar scenes of wonder unfolded in Russia, Greenland, and Iceland. In Lodoso, near Burgos, Spain, hundreds watched with protective lenses, erupting in cheers as darkness fell. "It's the first time and also the last, the only time I will see an eclipse," said Yenny Guevara, who traveled from France to experience the "exceptional" event.

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Casi me pongo a llorar, me ha subido un escalofrío por el cuerpo, era precioso