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WorldPublished: 13 August 2026 at 13:00

First Total Solar Eclipse in Nearly 30 Years Sweeps Across Europe

A total solar eclipse crossed Europe on Wednesday evening, the first such event on the continent in almost three decades. Roughly one in eight people worldwide were able to see at least a partial eclipse.

Foto: France 24

On Wednesday evening, a total solar eclipse passed over Europe for the first time in nearly 30 years, drawing widespread attention and crowds of onlookers across the continent.

Crowds head to Spain

Spain became the focal point of the event, as the eclipse's "path of totality" — the narrow band where the Moon fully blocks the Sun — ran directly across the country. As a result, large numbers of tourists traveled to Spain specifically to witness the rare phenomenon in person.

A partial view for millions worldwide

While only those within the narrow path of totality experienced the full eclipse, a much wider area saw a partial eclipse. According to reports, roughly one in eight people around the globe were able to glimpse at least a partial view of the Moon passing in front of the Sun, making it one of the more widely observed celestial events in recent times.

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