Total solar eclipse crosses Siberia, Greenland, Iceland and Spain

A total solar eclipse was observed on Wednesday, beginning over northern Siberia. The Moon's shadow then arced across Greenland and Iceland before reaching Spain later in the day.

The path of totality in Spain was roughly 300 kilometers wide, stretching from the country's northwest to its southeast, covering the Balearic Islands including Mallorca. A small part of Portugal also fell within the path.

Partial eclipse visible in Latvia and beyond

Outside the path of totality, other parts of Europe — including Latvia — as well as North America and West Africa saw only a partial eclipse.

Tourists flock to Spain amid heavy security

Many tourists traveled to Spain specifically to watch the eclipse. Hotels along the path of totality were fully booked months in advance in many locations, while private balconies and rooftop terraces offering unobstructed views were rented out for several hundred euros.

The Spanish government put extensive security measures in place, deploying more than 33,000 police officers and civil guards, and distributed two million certified eclipse-viewing glasses free of charge.

The last time a total solar eclipse was visible in mainland Spain was in 1905, which fueled particularly strong public interest in the event.