Cort to limit attendance at Playa de Palma to 75,000 for the eclipse

The Palma City Council is preparing an unprecedented security operation for next month's eclipse. The optimal capacity has been set at 75,000 people, although the area has nearly 100,000 residents and tourists.

The Deputy Mayor of Palma, Javier Bonet, detailed that the security operation for the eclipse will be activated with a maximum capacity of 75,000 people at Playa de Palma. The area, one of the best-rated spots to observe the phenomenon in Mallorca, has a floating population of almost 100,000 people between residents and tourists.

An unprecedented operation at Playa de Palma

Bonet explained that, in addition to the beach, the first line of the coast will be enabled, an area where bicycles circulate, with a lower gradient than the sand itself. The aim is to expand the available space without compromising safety.

Capacity control will be carried out using drones and agents deployed on the ground. When it is detected that the established limit is exceeded, access will be closed, although Cort has not specified the exact number that will trigger the closure.

Mobility and restrictions in Palma

The City Council recommends walking from the centre of Palma, although Bonet joked that attendees should wear “trainers”. Controls will be established to prevent non-resident private vehicles from accessing the area, where parking is already difficult in summer.

Several exits from the MA-19 will be cut off and the Bellver Forest will be closed. There will also be access restrictions to the Na Burgesa area to prevent fires. Secondary roads connecting Palma with Playa de Palma will be reserved for public transport.

Critical infrastructures: hospitals and airport

Bonet pointed out that the main challenge for Cort is to ensure access to three key infrastructures: Hospital Son Llàtzer, Son Espases, and Palma Airport. Two monitoring zones will be set up in Sant Ferran and Les Maravelles to monitor the operation.

The eclipse, scheduled for next month, will attract thousands of visitors to the island. Cort assures that, although the optimal capacity is 75,000 people, the operation is prepared to act if that number is exceeded.