REGION OF MURCIA, LOCAL NEWS

Growing piles of washed-up seagrass on Murcia beaches fuel complaintsNew regulations mean councils need permission before moving washed-up seagrass, while the Murcia regional government says the build-up is creating safety concerns New restrictions on how washed-up Posidonia seagrass can be managed on beaches across..

Figure of patron saint restored in Santiago de la Ribera by the original sculptorThe sculpture of St James the Great is ready for his annual procession on 25th July! The figure or religious image of Santiago Apóstol (St James the Great) which is kept in the parish church of Santiago de la Ribera and is to be taken out for procession.. 21/07/2026

Extreme wildfire risk sees Murcia close forests and tighten restrictionsEmergency restrictions will remain in place until the weekend, with access to some forest areas closed and limits imposed on machinery, vehicles and any activities that could spark a fire With another couple of days of extreme heat on the way.. 21/07/2026

The last three concerts of the 2026 San Javier Jazz Festival this weekMinor Jazz Collective, Raynald Colom, Pat Metheny, Lluís Coloma and Fusion Experience Quartet close another hugely successful season on the shore of the Mar Menor As we move into the last ten days of July there are just three big nights left in.. 21/07/2026

Extreme heat pushes back reopening of Cartagonova bridge for another weekThe closure has been extended by another week after extreme heat and technical challenges delayed work, with additional roadworks in the Alameda de San Antón area continuing to affect traffic Drivers in Cartagena will have to put up with.. 20/07/2026

Police scramble to a packed La Manga beach after a 'suspicious package' washed up ashoreBathers watched on as officers and lifeguards moved in to secure the mystery haul. The Guardia Civil was poised to investigate. There was just one problem It had all the hallmarks of a significant find. On Saturday, a large package washed up on a busy.. 20/07/2026

Nearly 300 loggerhead turtles returned to the sea from Murcia's coastline since 2019The Region of Murcia is becoming one of the Mediterranean's most important breeding areas for loggerhead turtles Murcia has become one of the most important places for the vulnerable loggerhead turtles to nest in the western Mediterranean.. 15/07/2026

Sexual offence convictions in Spain rise 14% in a year, with one in ten offenders under 18New INE figures show a record number of people sentenced for crimes against sexual freedom in 2025, with Murcia also reaching its highest total since records began Behind every conviction statistic is a victim, and the figures published this week by Spain.. 15/07/2026

Spain is through to the World Cup final - could it be a Spain-England final?Celebrations erupted across Spain as La Roja beat France 2-0 to book their place in Sunday's World Cup final, now attention turns to England's semi-final against Argentina Spain is through to the 2026 FIFA World Cup final after beating.. 15/07/2026

International scientists gather at the Mar Menor to help predict the Mediterranean's futureScientists and researchers from Spain, the United States, Ireland and Cyprus are working alongside the Technical University of Cartagena on the Living Lab project to help protect Mediterranean coastlines from environmental issues The Mar Menor.. 14/07/2026

Leaked internal document warns of serious shortcomings in Murcia fire serviceA leaked report signed by six senior officers claims staff shortages, ageing vehicles, outdated equipment and long response times are putting increasing pressure on Murcia's fire service An internal report backed by six of the ten senior officers.. 14/07/2026

Yes, the Spanish Christmas Lottery is already on sale and yes, it really is only JulyWith 162 days to go until the December 22 draw, tickets are already flying and this year's adverts are already turning heads People always say Christmas comes earlier every year, and here in Spain they might actually have a point. It's only Monday.. 13/07/2026

Bin charges in Murcia could soon depend on how much rubbish YOU produceThe regional government wants to improve recycling rates by encouraging councils to introduce bin charges based on the amount of waste households produce, rather than a fixed annual fee The way households pay for their rubbish could change in the.. 13/07/2026

Spain's wildfires have already burned through more than 50,000 hectares this year, nearly 40% of the entire EU totalWith multiple blazes still active across Catalonia, Cádiz and Huelva, the scale of the crisis is growing by the day Spain is burning, and the numbers are stark. Wildfires have scorched 50,384 hectares across the country between January 1 and July.. 10/07/2026

Spanish wages fail to keep pace with inflation and rising cost of livingThe OECD says inflation has wiped out much of the benefit of recent pay rises, leaving many workers with less spending power than before the pandemic Spain has become one of Europe's fastest-growing economies, yet many workers are still finding..

One in four drivers in Murcia gets behind the wheel while taking medication that affects their drivingA new study reveals a largely invisible road safety risk, and the over-55s are the group most likely to be affected Most drivers are well aware of the dangers of drink-driving or using a mobile phone at the wheel. But a new report suggests there's.. 10/07/2026

New study identifies hidden pollution source beneath the Mar MenorA new study by the University of Barcelona suggests underground water flowing through the seabed is carrying up to 90% of the harmful nutrients entering the Mar Menor The Mar Menor continues to surprise scientists, with new research suggesting.. 10/07/2026

Three towns in the Region of Murcia among the cheapest places to rent anywhere in SpainA new study by property portal Idealista found that average rents in the Region of Murcia's most affordable municipalities start at just €7.20 per square metre a month Property prices in the Region of Murcia have been making headlines.. 10/07/2026

Murcia fast-tracks law introducing fines of up to €1 million for arsonists and wildfire offencesThe proposed changes to Murcia's Emergency and Civil Protection Law would increase the maximum fine from €600,000 to €1 million After bringing in its Affordable Housing Decree-Law this week, the Murcia regional government is already.. 09/07/2026

Smoke fills skies over San Javier as twin fires break out along the AP-7Firefighters scrambled to tackle blazes on both sides of the motorway near Los Sáez and El Mirador Drivers along the AP-7 motorway got quite a fright on Wednesday afternoon, July 8, when two separate fires broke out within minutes of each other.. 09/07/2026