Spanish News Today Editors Roundup Weekly Bulletin Nov 28
TOP STORIES: "Cartagena hospital goes up in flames" & "Spanish airport authority fined €10 million for using facial recognition scanners"
To be honest, it was a pretty quiet week on the Spanish news front, at least as far as issues concerning expatriates and homeowners go. Quite a refreshing change of pace to finish out November, if anything!
However, there were two glaring exceptions: one being a massive slap on the virtual wrist for Spanish airports in their use of digital face scanners, and the second being a serious incident midweek in the Region of Murcia…
Cartagena hospital goes up in flames
The early morning of this Wednesday, November 26, brought a frightening incident to Cartagena as a major fire broke out at Santa Lucía Hospital. The biggest and main hospital in Cartagena, it will be familiar to almost everyone who has lived in Murcia for at least a couple of years, and the entire community was shocked at the images of the raging fire shooting out the top of the enormous building.
Incendio en el Hospital Santa Lucía de Cartagena.
— VOX Murcia (@Vox_Murcia) November 26, 2025
Esperamos que no haya daños personales y que todo quede controlado cuanto antes.
Nuestro máximo ánimo y agradecimiento a los bomberos, policía y servicios de emergencia que vuelven a demostrar su entrega y profesionalidad. https://t.co/dVV8u2lbld pic.twitter.com/WzDMZmDSvl
It all started at around 7.15am, when flames suddenly erupted along the exterior façade of the fourth floor of Block 5 of the hospital. Fanned by strong winds on that morning, the fire spread with terrifying speed to the third and fifth floors.
A pillar of smoke rising to the air and the orange glow of the fire could be seen from several miles away. The bomberos were dispatched immediately, of course, while hospital staff began evacuating patients, moving them to other parts of the hospital or down to ambulances waiting outside to be transferred to Cartagena’s other hospital, Rossell, mainly those needing oncology and haematology care.
And it all worked like clockwork. In a remarkable show of coordination and bravery, the local fire brigade brought the blaze under control in just 20 minutes, while medical staff orchestrated an impressively executed evacuation routine. By 8am, the flames had all been extinguished and there had been no casualties, injuries or deaths, something of a miracle given the scale of the conflagration.
It speaks to the heroism and professionalism of all those involved that, though the building suffered significant material damage, they were able to prevent this disaster from turning into the horrendous, fatal tragedy you can imagine it could easily have become.
In fact, just a week before there had been a fire drill at the hospital, with staff taking part in a simulacrum to prepare for exactly this sort of eventuality. And it’s just as well, as it seemed their caution and Boy Scouts attitude paid off.
So what caused it? Well, as always in these cases, the firefighters have their own team of investigators who sift through the minutiae of the debris to uncover the source of the fire, and in this case early signs point to a still-lit cigarette butt having been the spark that ignited the flame.
Smoking is, of course, strictly prohibited in the entire hospital grounds, including on terrazas, balconies and in the immediate surroundings of the hospital building. However, it is an open secret that not only patients and their families but also hospital staff regularly flouted this rule. In 2025 alone, at least 20 people have been fined for breaking non-smoking regulations at the hospital.
But that’s not all. Another detail has investigators worried: the presence of polyurethane cladding in the hospital’s outer walls. This material is similar to that used in the building that caught fire in Valencia in February 2024, a fire that ended in tragedy when 10 people died. It is feared that the cladding may have helped the flames race up the façade with alarming rapidity once the fire started. The hospital, which opened in 2011, passed a full fire-safety review and renewed its health authorisation as recently as May 2025.
The regional Ministry of Health insists the building was constructed with fire-resistant stone, steel and aluminium composite materials, and those materials likely helped prevent the fire from penetrating deeply into interior areas, staying instead on the outside.
Nonetheless, investigators are now questioning whether the polyurethane insulation undermined the intended safety of the design. The regional Ministry of Health has ordered a full technical review of the entire Area II Health Centre, of which Santa Lucía is part, with the aim of producing a detailed report on the overall safety and to decide whether additional protective measures are now necessary.
In the meantime, healthcare services at the hospital are mostly back to normal (with the exception of Block 5), though it may take quite some time for the hospital building itself – not to mention the nerves of those who were there at the time – to be fully restored.
Spanish airports fined €10 million for facial recognition scanners
Breaking news now, as Spain’s airport operator Aena has just been slapped with a massive €10 million fine over its facial recognition systems, which have become a common sight at airports like Alicante, where they’re *meant to* speed up security checks.
The company isn’t taking this lying down though and is preparing for a court battle to overturn what it’s calling a “disproportionate” penalty.
The Spanish data protection agency AEPD has serious concerns about how Aena rolled out the technology. The regulator argues that the airport operator failed to properly assess the risks before launching facial recognition scanners that process sensitive biometric information.
According to the watchdog, Aena jumped headfirst into using this high-risk technology without conducting a thorough data protection impact assessment that would prove the system was necessary, suitable and proportionate.
Aena, however, insists it did carry out impact assessments before switching on the biometric boarding programmes and is firmly pushing back against the agency’s findings. In a statement released earlier this week, Aena maintained that user data has remained secure throughout the entire process and that passengers gave their informed consent to have their biometric information processed.
But AEPD is adamant that the company never justified why biometric data was necessary for passenger identification in the first place, pointing out that less intrusive alternatives could have achieved the same goals and highlighting shortcomings in risk management and security measures.
On top of the €10,043,002, the AEPD has also temporarily suspended biometric data processing until Aena completes a proper impact assessment.
In the meantime, Aena has confirmed it will continue working on streamlining documentation processes and aims to get the biometric boarding programme back up and running “as soon as possible”.
Train on your parade
Now, with Christmas just around the corner, the last thing any of us needs is travel chaos, but that’s exactly what could be on the cards as high-speed train operator Iryo gears up for potential strike action across Spain.
The industrial action is scheduled to hit during some of the busiest travel periods in November and December, with strikes having affected travel this Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday already, plus more planned for December 5, 6, 7 and 8, to coincide with the December long weekend.
The good news is that Iryo has confirmed that minimum services of 73% will be maintained on strike days, so essential routes between major cities should keep running. The company has also put contingency plans in motion, allowing affected passengers to rebook alternative journeys.Iryo has expressed regret about the disruption but stressed its commitment to hammering out a fair and sustainable collective agreement that protects employees while keeping the company on solid ground.
During negotiations, they’ve apparently put forward “four economic proposals with significant improvements in base salary, variable compensation, new bonuses, reduced working hours and new professional classifications.”
They’ve even suggested a one-year transitional agreement to get a better handle on market trends and how the company is performing.
“We remain fully available to resume negotiations as soon as possible,” Iryo confirmed.
On the other hand, if you’re looking to book some train travel for next year, Renfe jumped the gun on Black Friday and launched its sale campaign early. Up to November 30, you can grab thousands of discounted tickets across their high-speed and long-distance network.
That means AVE tickets starting from just €19 and their budget Avlo services kicking off at an astonishing €7 for journeys from January 8, 2026 onwards.
The ‘Super Price’ promotion covers all the main services including AVE, Avlo, Alvia, Euromed, Intercity and AVE International routes. You’ve got two ticket types to choose from: there’s the Basic ticket at the lowest price point, or you can pay an extra €3 for the Choose ticket, which gives you more wiggle room if your plans change. The only exception is AVE International services.
If you’re signed up to the Más Renfe loyalty programme, you can also stack these discounts with any points you’ve already racked up for even better savings.
Renfe runs more than 300 long-distance services every day, giving passengers the biggest network of routes and frequencies anywhere in Spain, and to be honest, the rail system in Spain is extensive, accessible and reliably punctual most of the time. If you’ve not tried travelling by train in Spain yet, you might find it a pleasant alternative to going by car!
Murcia
We start in Camposol this week, with the ongoing campaign against the proposed biogas plant planned for construction just metres from people’s homes. Residents have been rallying behind the Camposol Legal Platform Against Biogas, a group promoted by the Green Camposol Association which, while recognising the importance of biogas plants for disposing of the Region’s waste, is determined to challenge the approval of the project and push for its relocation to a site farther away from the urbanisation.
Problem is the legal process is not cheap. Thankfully, the community spirit has been strong as it always is in Camposol. A Halloween fundraiser brought in €4,000 last month, and now a GoFundMe online page is helping to push the total closer to the €6,000 target needed to cover legal costs. Donating is simple and many locals have been keen to help either online or by popping into the Ibex insurance office or the Compusurf shop for those who prefer to give in person. Once the future of the biogas plant is settled, the Platform will dissolve itself, as per its statutes, but the Green Camposol Association intends to keep working for the area’s environmental wellbeing.
Mazarrón municipality as a whole, meanwhile, has been enjoying a moment in the sun. It has just been named the Magical Town of Murcia by the Institute for Local Development and Social Studies, a title that reflects both its coastal beauty and its mining heritage.
The award will be officially presented at FITUR 2026 in Madrid and it acknowledges how Mazarrón has managed to “hold on to its traditions while refreshing its identity in a way that appeals to visitors and residents” alike. The accolade arrives in a year when Mazarrón has also been honoured for its work in promoting equality and tackling gender violence during local festivals, something which was on everyone’s lips this week since November 25 was the International Day Against Gender Violence.
Further north in Yecla, there has been culinary excitement as the Restaurante Barahonda has secured itself a Michelin star, becoming only the sixth restaurant in the entire Region of Murcia to receive such a distinction.
Nestled among the vineyards of Yecla, the restaurant has long been admired for its creativity and the quality of its menus which highlight local produce and the wines of the area. Chef Alejandro Ibáñez has spent years refining a dining experience that now sits proudly alongside the Region’s other Michelin-starred establishments. With set menus starting at €45, its surprisingly affordable as far as Michelin-level food goes.On top of that, the Michelin star crowns a particularly successful year for Yecla, which is also preparing for its Fiestas de la Virgen after the celebrations were granted International Tourist Interest status. A rising star of the Murcia tourist scene, perhaps, as people gravitate away from the beaches and more towards rural tourism.
Talking of tourism, there is good news for those travelling to and from Murcia Airport as Airport Buses have introduced a half-price fare for children under 16 across all its routes, making family travel significantly more affordable. The service is already popular with residents and holidaymakers as it meets every direct flight and links the airport with destinations along the Costa Blanca, Costa Cálida and the northern coast of Almería.
Already a mainstay of the travel experience in Murcia, even so soon after its launch in May of this year, the company is now promoting its half-price offer as a way for families to save money, something especially welcome at a time when travel budgets are under pressure.
As Christmas approaches, another group of people thinking carefully about travel plans are carers looking after elderly relatives. DomusVi Ciudad de Murcia has become a helpful option for those who need a short break, whether for a weekend or several months. Their temporary respite stays allow carers to travel, rest or attend important events while knowing their loved one is in a safe environment with personalised attention.
The elderly residence offers everything from physiotherapy and podiatry to social activities, festive events and a homely atmosphere that helps residents settle in quickly. Directors emphasise that these breaks benefit not only carers who can recharge, but also the elderly residents who can enjoy company, routine and professional care without feeling like a burden. If you’re a carer in need of a respite stay this holiday season – or indeed, at any time of year – don’t hesitate to get in touch with them.
And lastly, Murcia is getting the star treatment this very evening as Richard Gere pays a surprise visit to the regional capital to switch on the Christmas Tree in Plaza Circular! The Pretty Woman star is married to a Spaniard, Alejandra Silva, and moved out here to live in Madrid a year ago. Murcia city council seized on the opportunity to invite him to preside over one of its most popular events of the season, and the famous actor, activist and Buddhist actually said yes!Are you going to miss it? Go on, get down there! Probably best to arrive by 6pm at the latest, to be sure of getting yourself a spot. It’s going to be packed, but it’s not every day you get to see a Hollywood A-lister turning on the Christmas tree lights in Murcia!
If you can’t make that particular date with destiny, then you know you’ve always got more events taking place around the Region, which you can consult at any time using the EVENTS DIARY on our website:
Spain
Sad news in Menorca after a 67-year-old tourist died last week when his car plunged into the sea. The incident happened at Ciutadella’s commercial port just after 9pm on Thursday November 20, moments after the man’s vehicle had disembarked from the Margarita Salas de Baleària ferry, which runs between Alcúdia and Barcelona.
Witnesses reported that the car “appeared to deviate” from the queue of vehicles waiting to leave the port before it went off the eastern dock of the Son Blanc breakwater and into the cold water below.
Ferry crew members jumped straight into the sea to help and rescue divers managed to pull the man out. Emergency teams worked on him for more than half an hour, but sadly he was found in cardiac arrest and couldn’t be saved.
Although there were initial concerns that more people might have been in the car, records confirmed he was the sole occupant.
Ports de les Illes, which manages the facility, confirmed that the ramps connecting the ferry to the dock were in good working order. The vehicle was later recovered by crane and is now under investigation to determine whether any mechanical failure or brake issues contributed to the accident.
At this point, there won’t be a driver out there who doesn’t already know that from January 1 next year, the approved V-16 emergency beacon becomes the only legal way to signal breakdowns and accidents on Spanish roads. The old emergency triangles will no longer cut it for Spanish-registered vehicles.
That means that roughly 25 million cars across the country, plus buses and certain other vehicles, will need to have one of these lights stored somewhere in the car.
At around €45 each, it’s not exactly going to break the bank for individual motorists, but what might come as a surprise is that not everyone has to rush out and buy one.
Bicycles, motorcycles, mopeds and personal mobility vehicles are all off the hook, which makes sense when you think about their size and how they’re typically used. What’s more surprising is that some cars won’t need the emergency beacon either.
Any vehicle registered outside Spain can carry on using the old emergency triangles without any problems. The DGT doesn’t have the power to force drivers from other EU countries, or those with bilateral agreements allowing them to use Spanish roads, to fork out for V16 devices. This covers quite an extensive list of places including Morocco, the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland.
The whole V-16 rollout has stirred up quite a bit of confusion and controversy. Plenty of drivers still don’t fully grasp what these devices actually do, how they function or why they’re supposedly necessary. That widespread lack of awareness hasn’t slowed down the deadline though. Come January, the Guardia Civil will have the authority to issue fines if your vehicle breaks down on the hard shoulder and you haven’t switched on your V-16 beacon.
While we’re on the subject of fines and road safety regulations, it’s worth remembering that stepping out of your car without wearing a reflective vest is classified as a serious offence that’ll cost you €200 and four points off your licence. So even if you’ve sorted yourself out with a brand-new V-16 beacon, make sure you’ve still got that high-vis vest within easy reach.
Alicante
There’s some fantastic news for hikers or really anyone who enjoys a scenic walk, as the Mediterranean Trail through Cabo Roig has finally been restored to its proper route after years of being diverted inland.
The famous GR-92 trail section running along the cliff face and through the Bellavista 1 residential area had been blocked by homeowners since 2021, forcing hikers to take a frustrating kilometre-long detour away from the sea.Orihuela City Council managed to reopen the promenade this summer through an expropriation process and Convega has now finished updating all the signage. The work involved ripping out 15 old trail markers and installing more than a dozen new signs that meet official standards. The restored stretch is only about 60 metres long but it makes a massive difference, running right next to the water between the car park on Calle Levante and the callisthenics park in Aguamarina.
The GR-92 Mediterranean Trailruns along the entire Vega Baja del Segura coastline, covering more than 49 kilometres through Guardamar del Segura, Torrevieja, Orihuela and Pilar de la Horadada.
These are actually the only officially approved sections in the whole Valencian Community, taking in thirty points of interest along beaches, cliffs, natural spaces and historical sites.
Staying on the coast but shifting to a completely different kind of activity, Alicante’s cruise scene is about to get a serious boost. Costa Cruises has announced that from April 2026, the Costa Pacifica will start alternating embarkations and disembarkations between Alicante and Valencia.
This will be the company’s first proper home port operation in the city, which is quite a big deal.
Costa had originally planned just a small trial run in June to test the waters, but strong interest has pushed them to crack on much sooner.
The Costa Pacifica can carry around 3,780 passengers and will be running eight-day Mediterranean routes that call at Rome, La Spezia, Savona, Marseille and Palma. For anyone living in the area, it means you can hop on a cruise without the hassle of flying anywhere first. There’s even a free coach service running between Alicante and Valencia for passengers embarking or disembarking in the other city.The ship itself is pretty impressive, featuring restaurants, live shows, panoramic pools and a spa with sea views. It’s known for its musical themes and lively design.
The Mediterranean route will run until the end of September with alternating departures between the two cities.
Alicante port is really making a name for itself in the cruise world. This year will wrap up with a record 104 cruises bringing 250,000 passengers and generating more than €64 million for the local economy. Next year looks even better with 114 cruise stops and an estimated 300,000 passengers expected.
On a rather different note, a routine security patrol in Benidorm recently took a bit of an unexpected turn. Officers from the Policía Nacional clocked a man acting suspiciously and it turned out the 44-year-old British national was wanted by the UK authorities for two counts of sexual assault and was facing a 10-year prison sentence.
The suspect had been released on bail back in 2020 but did a runner before his scheduled court hearing, breaking his bail conditions in the process. Police noticed him behaving nervously in a hotel complex, which immediately raised red flags.
Since he wasn’t carrying any identification, they accompanied him back to his room and quickly discovered there was an international arrest warrant out for him, issued on November 12.
The charges relate to sexual assault incidents that occurred in London in 2020 and shortly afterwards. Once his identity was confirmed, he was taken into custody and handed over to the Central Court of Instruction Number 3 of the National Court, which handles extradition cases to the UK.
Andalucía
In Málaga, a disturbing situation unfolded earlier this week, but thankfully the quick intervention of the authorities prevented it from becoming something far worse.Police stopped the attempted sale of a newborn baby for €3,000 after social services raised concerns when the child was admitted to hospital. What initially appeared to be a straightforward case soon revealed troubling inconsistencies, especially when officers began questioning the baby’s mother and the man listed as the father.
It emerged that he was not the biological parent at all, but had falsely claimed paternity at the Registro Civil as part of a secret agreement between the mother and a couple struggling to conceive. Their plan was to take the baby home and register her as their own using falsified documents. Thanks to swift police action, the baby is now in foster care under the protection of the Andalusian Regional Government and the three adults involved are facing charges relating to falsifying public documents and altering paternity.
After further investigation, it turned out this was not the first time the real, biological mother had tried this trick, having been caught by police attempting to sell another baby several years earlier.
Honestly, some people…
Across Andalucía as a whole, preparations for winter proper are now well under way. The Junta has launched a major road safety campaign that will remain active until April 2026, which aims to ensure that the entire road network is ready to cope with snow, ice and freezing temperatures.
Maintenance teams have been equipped with 37 snowploughs and more than 3,700 tonnes of de-icing agents, along with substantial reserves of brine stored in silos and reservoirs positioned across the region.
These resources will be used to prevent ice forming on key routes and to clear snow quickly so that drivers experience as little disruption as possible. In addition, special parking areas for heavy goods vehicles have also been set up on the A-4 near Bailén and La Carolina so that lorry drivers can have a safe place to stop in severe weather conditions.
The scale of the operation shows how seriously the authorities are taking winter road safety this year. Their plan involves constant coordination with Aemet, the DGT and local councils, and focuses on the busiest motorways as well as routes connecting provincial capitals and larger towns.
It should go without saying, of course, that drivers are also encouraged to do their part too by checking conditions before travelling, carrying snow chains if heading into the mountains and taking sensible precautions such as keeping their phones charged and vehicles well maintained.
For anyone who does get stranded on icy roads this winter, the best advice is just to stay in your vehicle, use the heater sparingly without running down the battery and call for assistance rather than trying to walk to safety.
Stay safe out there, folks!
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And that’s it for this (supposedly quiet) week. As every week, my heartfelt thanks for continuing to read and enjoy this bulletin. Your support keeps us going!
Have a safe and happy weekend, and stay tuned for your next edition next Friday, which will actually signal the start of a three-day weekend in Spain for the puente de diciembre.
See ya!
