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Date Published: 08/05/2026

Major oil spill emergency drill held off Cartagena coast

More than 250 emergency responders took part in a major coastal drill at Cala Reona to test how authorities would handle a large fuel spill at sea

Murcia's coastline was the setting for a large-scale emergency exercise to prepare for one of the worst environmental scenarios possible, a major oil spill at sea.

Major oil spill emergency drill held off Cartagena coast Over two days, Cala Reona beach near Cabo de Palos was chosen for a simulated marine pollution emergency. There was no real spill, but the operation was designed to test how quickly and effectively authorities would respond if a serious incident like this happened off the coast.

The drill simulated two merchant ships colliding south of Cabo de Palos. In the scenario, one vessel suffered damage to a fuel tank, causing oil to leak into the sea. The simulated spill then drifted toward the coast, reaching several beaches, including Cala Reona.

Major oil spill emergency drill held off Cartagena coast This triggered a major response involving local, regional and national authorities, with several official emergency plans activated. The goal was to test how well all agencies work together to contain pollution at sea, stop it from reaching shore, and clean affected beaches if contamination does make landfall.

More than 250 people took part, including emergency crews, environmental teams, police, Civil Protection, Coast Guard services, and specialists from across government departments.

The operation included:

Helicopters for aerial surveillance and coordination
Boats deployed at sea
Drones for monitoring the spill
A mobile command unit and advanced command post
Environmental officers and clean-up teams
Veterinarians and biologists
A field hospital set up to treat wildlife affected by oil pollution, particularly seabirds and marine animals

Major oil spill emergency drill held off Cartagena coast Officials said regular drills like this are important, especially in an area close to the Escombreras refinery and the busy Port of Cartagena, where shipping traffic and industrial activity increase the risk of a serious incident like this.

They also held workshops and training sessions alongside the exercise, covering emergency coordination, risk assessment, wildlife rescue, and waste management following a spill.

Once the simulation ended, all organisations involved met to review how the operation had gone and identify lessons for any real emergency, making sure that if the worst ever happened, Murcia's coast would be as prepared as possible.

Read also: Video! Chaos on Murcia coast as 125 litres of rain flood streets in Los Alcázares

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Punic Wall Interpretation Centre, Calle de San Diego, s/n 30202 CARTAGENA

Tel: 968 128 955

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Oficina de turismo de Cartagena

Cartagena Tourist Office Cartagena tourism information

Where to find basic tourism information and information about historical sites and places to visit in Cartagena, Spain.

Cartagena has a wealth of historical sites, including the Roman Theatre Museum, Archaeological Museum, ARQUA Subaquatic Archaeology Museum, Panoramic lift, Civil War Air raid Shelter and Military and Naval Museums, as well as Tourist Bus and Tourist Boat which ferries visitors across to the Fuerte de Navidad.

There is one main Tourist Information Office and 2 tourist information points, the main one being in the Muralla Púnica Interpretation centre in Calle de san Diego and the other next to the Civil War Air Raid Shelter and Panoramic lift.

The office in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento is the easiest place to pick up a map if you've come into the port from a cruise ship, and has a few basic Cartagena Tourist Office leaflets, but not a lot else.

The information point for the Puerto de Culturas attractions is by the Panoramic lift and Civil War Air Raid shelter in Calle Gisbert, although maps and leaflets are available at any of 3 information points.

There is plenty of in depth information about Cartagena in the dedicated Cartagena section, accessed via the map box at the bottom of every article page or by using the town search box at the top of the page. the introduction gives basic information about the city and then readers can select from the subjects below for information about the city, or the rest of the municipality.

Tourist Offices:

Oficina Municipal de Turismo Puertas de San José
Plaza Almirante Bastarreche s/n

(Click for map)

Opening hours: weekdays 10.00 to 14.00 and 16.00 to 18.00, Saturdays 10.00 to 13.00.

Oficina Municipal de Turismo Muralla Púnica

Calle de San Diego, 25
30202, Cartagena
Telephone 968 52 14 27
Click for map, Tourist information office Muralla Púnica.

Opening hours.
31st July to 15th September, Monday to Sunday, 10am to 8pm
31st March to 30th June, Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 7pm.
16th September to 4th November, Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 7pm.
5th November to 30th March, Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 5.30pm.

Punto de Informacion Turistica

Cartagena Tourist Office This is on the side of the Palacio Consistorial in Cartagena ( The Town Hall)
Plaza del Ayuntamiento S/N
Cartagena, Spain
Tel 968 128 955
Click for map, Tourist Information point, Plaza del Ayuntamiento, Cartagena

Opening hours

May to September: Monday-Saturday 10am-1.30pm and 5pm-7pm
Sunday 10.30am-1.30pm.
October to April: Monday-Saturday 10am-2pm and 4pm-6pm
Sunday 10.30am-1.30pm.

Cartagena - Punto de Información Turística Ascensor Panorámico
Calle Gisbert, 10
30202 CARTAGENA

Opening hours:

From 31st March to 30th June, Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 7pm
Semana Santa, Monday to Sunday 10am to 7pm
From 16th to 30th September (Cartagineses y Romanos) Tuesday to Sunday: 10am to 7pm.
From1st October to 4th November , Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 7pm
From 5th November to 30th March, Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 5.30pm.
From 1st July to 15th September, Monday to sunday 10am to 8pm

Click for map, Panoramic Lift, Cartagena