Costa Calida • Issue No. 2063 • 16 - 22 January 2025
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Saving the Mar Menor Suspicious suitcases IN a major step to tackle the Mar Menor’s environmental crisis, Spain’s Ministry of Science and the regional government of Murcia have announced a €5 million investment in new technology to help clean the lagoon’s contaminated aquifer. The ‘Recupera’ project, launched through a public-private collaboration, aims to develop innovative solutions to remove nitrates from the water. This partnership will focus on research and development, using a process called Pre-Commercial Public Procurement, which will be fast-tracked to address the urgent need to restore the lagoon’s health. The funding for the project is split between several sources: €750,000 from the Ministry of Scien-
Image: San Pedro del Pinatar Town Hall
A new era for Mar Menor
A SECURITY scare unfolded recently in Cartagena when two abandoned suitcases were found. The National Police cordoned off the area, restricting access to nearby streets and evacuating shops, bars, and offices as a precaution. The suitcases were discovered around 4pm at the corner of Plaza de San Sebastian and Calle Intendencia, right under a security camera of the building, which houses the headquarters of the Spanish Navy’s Maritime Action Force. The area around the building was closed off for nearly three hours while police followed protocol. Bomb disposal experts were dispatched to investigate the suspicious items. They used a controlled detonation to safely examine the contents, which turned out to be electrical components like plugs and covers, likely forgotten by someone. Once it was confirmed there were no explosives and no threat, the security operation was called off, and the area was reopened. Fortunately, the situation was resolved without incident, allowing normal activities to resume in the area.
Restoring Mar Menor’s future.
ce, €1.25 million from Murcia’s Environment Department, and €3 million from EU funds. The goal is to reduce the harmful effects of nutrient-rich, brackish water flowing into the lagoon. Diana Morant, Minister
of Science, described the project as a ‘decisive step’ in protecting the Mar Menor and combating climate change. Murcia’s President Fernando López Miras called it the first plan to directly target the polluted aquifer, marking
a key milestone in global efforts to fight nitrate pollution. With this collaboration, Spain hopes to lead the way in developing technology that can clean contaminated waters worldwide.
Successful trail rescue
Image: Facebook/ Sergio Nova Ocio
Security scare in Cartagena.
A RUNNER competing in the seventh CXM Trail Vista Alegre-Sierra Gorda in Cartagena was airlifted on Sunday, January 12, after suffering an ankle fracture. The incident occurred in the challenging Orfeo ravine, a difficult section of the race. Due to the terrain’s complexity, it was impossible to reach the injured runner on foot. Emergency teams from Cartagena’s Civil Protection, along with firefighters and other rescue personnel, wor-
Image: 112 Murcia
Runner airlifted to hospital
Runner airlifted after injury.
ked to assess the situation. After evaluating the scene, they decided to evacuate the runner by helicopter, which landed at Santa Lucía Hospital helipad. Cartagena at 1:16pm, two hours after the accident. The runner received medical attention on arrival.
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