Redaccion
The City Council of Coruña is finalizing the details of the security and cleaning operation for this San Xoán 2025, a celebration declared a Festival of International Tourist Interest. More than 150,000 people are expected to attend the main event areas: the beaches of Riazor, Orzán, and Matadoiro. «The complexity of this emblematic celebration for all the people of Coruña requires thorough coordination of all security forces, which we have been preparing for weeks,» stated the mayor, Inés Rey.
Until the deadline for submitting requests for bonfires and grills, over 700 people notified the City Council of their plans in various neighborhoods. Surveillance will be carried out in all districts by the Local Police throughout the day. Additionally, this year, the bonfire will be lit by members of OAR Coruña, following their promotion to the Honra Prata Division, and members of AC Donaire to commemorate the dedication of the Day of the Galician Letters to the singers and Galician culture.
This year’s security and cleaning operation involves around 1,000 people and will officially begin this Monday at 5:30 a.m. with the activation of the Mobile Command Center, responsible for coordinating the various security actions to be carried out in the hours leading up to, during, and after the celebration. Traffic restrictions on the promenade will start at 7:00 p.m., and swimming will be prohibited from 10:00 p.m. No structures like tents will be allowed on the beaches on the previous night, with a security check by the Local Police.
The deployed personnel will remain in the same locations as in previous years, with services such as the advanced medical post of the Red Cross or the 12 surveillance cameras along the promenade. Additionally, there will be a special lifeguard service on the beaches, equipped with two emergency boats. Starting from June 20, the Local Police will check for possible wood supplies.
There will be four Fire Brigade units deployed around the beaches, two more at the bonfire site, and another at the Mobile Command Center. Additionally, two more units will be on standby in the Agrela park if needed. There will also be a water rescue team consisting of 10 people and a boat. A special lifeguard service will also be available. Four evacuation routes to hospitals will be established to facilitate ambulance transportation.
On the other hand, access to the beaches will be marked with 12 flags, from Matadoiro to Escravas. Traffic will be restricted on streets like Antonio Viñes, Emilia Pardo Bazán, San Xosé, and San Xoán as deemed necessary by the Local Police.
Traffic Restrictions around the beaches
The Local Police and the Citizen Security department have established the distribution of traffic closure points around the beaches of Riazor, Orzán, and Matadoiro. They will be implemented from 7:00 p.m., unless they need to be advanced based on the influx of people in these areas.
Parking will not be allowed in the Riazor Sports Palace esplanade or on Pedro Barrié de la Maza Avenue, during the specified times indicated in the signage that will be set up in these areas in the coming days. If necessary, the affected area may be expanded with traffic closures towards Rolda Promenade, San Roque de Afora, and Matadoiro Street.
Traffic closures will be in place at various intersections like Curros Enríquez with Zalaeta and Barrié de la Maza, Hospital with Zalaeta and Barrié de la Maza, Barrié de la Maza with Rúa Alta, and other specified locations.
120 tons of wood
For this San Xoán, a total of 120 tons of wood suitable for burning will be distributed starting at 7:00 p.m. at 14 points spread across the beaches. There will also be over 25 collection points at the beach exits for users to dispose of waste separately in large containers for organic, inorganic, and glass waste. These points will be clearly marked and labeled for easy identification. Ecovidrio will distribute tickets containing 3,000 invitations to Cerceda Aquapark to those who correctly dispose of their waste. Additionally, there will be a reinforcement of waste collection points in neighborhoods for residents to recycle the remains of the celebration in each district. There will also be an increase in portable toilets along the beaches, with over 50 units, and a reinforcement of cleaning in public toilets near the beaches.
The evacuation of the beaches will begin at 6:00 a.m. For the night of San Xoán, low tide is expected at 9:30 p.m. and high tide at 3:51 a.m. The weather forecast for this Monday indicates maximum temperatures of 23 degrees and a minimum of 18, with minimal chances of rain.
Cleaning will be carried out on all beaches with San Xoán activity, using a tank truck to extinguish and cool the bonfire remnants. Once waste removal is completed, the beaches will be sifted. Additionally, there will be a cleaning operation in neighborhoods with special attention to those with high attendance in neighborhood celebrations such as Monte Alto, Vioño, Labañou, Os Castros, Os Rosales, and Barrio das Flores. Areas like María Pita, Emilia Pardo Bazán surroundings, and the increased leisure activity in Humor Square, Azcárraga, Cidade Vella, or Ángel Senra will also receive cleaning attention.
Exclusion Zones and Restrictions on the Beaches
It is prohibited to light fires near bins, vehicles, and other elements. The use of liquid fuels and accelerants to light fires is also prohibited. Burning plastics, rubbers, tires, mattresses, varnished wood, foam rubber, and other objects that may produce toxic gases is not allowed. Access to the beaches with furniture or bulky objects, or wood with spikes or nails, is prohibited.
In the exclusion zones, no fires of any kind are allowed. These zones include the entire route of the oil and gas high-pressure pipelines, Bens Park including Bens Beach, San Pedro Mountain, Méndez Núñez Gardens, San Carlos Gardens, Bárbaras Square, and the area around the Tower of Hercules, including Lapas Picnic Area, Lapas Beach, and the Mouros and Durmideiras coves, without prejudice to Security services designating any other zone based on criteria for the protection of people and public property.
It is prohibited to move waste containers and change their location due to disruptions in waste collection in the days following the celebration. Glass is not allowed on the beaches and must be deposited in the designated collection points at the beach accesses. The release of paper balloons, Chinese lanterns, or similar items whose means of ascension is fire is prohibited.
Public Transport
A special public transport service will be established, consisting of eight special lines connecting neighborhoods to Pontevedra Square. Each line will have a frequency of 10-15 minutes until 2:30 a.m. The night service will operate between 3:00 and 6:30 a.m. with a frequency of 30 minutes. The times are approximate and may vary depending on traffic. The lines available during the night of San Xoán will be: 1, 1A, 3, 3A, 6, 7, 11, 21, and 24. Additionally, the night service, with departures every half hour, will follow its usual route. The aim is to connect all neighborhoods of the city to Pontevedra Square and ensure comfortable and safe transportation for citizens.
