Local
The Three Kings bring seasonal cheer and extra policing
-
Amid heightened security after recent terrorist attacks using lorries, parades take place all over the country under perfect starry skies
It was easy for the Three Wise Men to follow the Star in the East across mainland Spain last night, as clear skies ensured perfect conditions for the annual parades welcoming Their Majesties.
The only umbrellas to be seen were the upturned ones used by children to collect the tonnes of sweets launched from the colourful floats carrying Balthasar, Gaspar and Melchior around towns and villages.
This year the main concern for organisers was how to protect the millions of people on the streets after terrorist attacks involving lorries in France and Germany in the last few months.
The kings arrived by helicopter in Fuengirola. / SUR
Extra precautions
In Madrid, where the largest procession involving twelve floats and two thousand participants took place, the city council and police banned vehicles over 3.5 tonnes from entering the nearby area after 4pm. Similar measures were also announced in Barcelona and other large cities, including checking the police records of the drivers of the floats. The government said that 100,000 National Police officers, in uniform and plain clothes, would be on duty.
Children across the Costa del Sol were also able to get a glimpse of the Three Kings and hand over their last minute letters to pages or postmen with their wish lists for presents.
In Marbella, the Kings arrived by catamaran and in Vélez-Málaga and Fuengirola they arrived by air. Four million sweets were distributed to eager bystanders in Malaga city, which held the largest local parade.
Noticias relacionadas
