Balance del Plan Romero 2025: Atendidas 521 emergencias en El Rocío
The Council of Government has been informed of the balance of Plan Romero 2025, which took place between the 2nd and 12th of June 2025. The Emergency Coordination Center (Cecem 112 Andalucía) coordinated a total of 521 emergencies, 67 of them during the early hours of Pentecost Monday. The Plan has incorporated the most technological advancements in the history of the pilgrimage and has also been one of the most effective in terms of emergency management.
The majority of emergencies were of medical nature (311), related to traffic issues (60), animal-related (42), and public safety concerns (36). The rest were distributed among basic services anomalies (19), traffic accidents (13), and fires (12). Compared to the previous year, with more attendees at the pilgrimage, there were 103 more emergencies coordinated (24%), 61 more medical emergencies (24%), 12 more traffic incidents (25%), five more public safety incidents (16%), nine more animal welfare-related incidents (27%), and 51 more traffic accidents (566%).
Plan Romero is the emergency plan within the Territorial Emergency Plan of Civil Protection of Andalucía (PTEAnd) to prevent risks and provide an adequate response to any emergency that may occur during the pilgrimage to El Rocío. The deployment mobilized over 7,000 personnel from all administrations for this 41st edition.
The medical services attended 1,946 patients at the thirteen peripheral care points located along the routes in the provinces of Huelva, Sevilla, and Cádiz, as well as at the Main Care Center in the village. Compared to the 2024 assistance numbers, there was a decrease of nearly 6%.
The main healthcare issues during the pilgrimage were related to traumatic and rheumatologic pathologies, accounting for 26% of the cases attended. Other notable conditions included infectious diseases (12%), digestive disorders (11%), respiratory issues (9%), cardiovascular conditions (%), dermatological problems (7%), and neurological conditions (7%), among others. 97% of pilgrims who required medical attention were discharged on-site without the need for hospital transfer. A total of 57 patients were transferred to reference hospitals, with nine transfers in mobile ICUs and seven times utilizing the 061 medical helicopter.
In the overall critical pathology assessment, two patients with cardiorespiratory arrest were successfully resuscitated; however, a patient with a severe cardiac condition was transferred to a reference hospital and unfortunately passed away. The pilgrimage to El Rocío has once again been equipped with defibrillators and self-protection measures for the fifth time, thanks to the External Automated Defibrillators (DEA) provided by the Junta de Andalucía to the sisterhoods, as well as emergency teams and the training provided for their use.
The National Police Corps Unit attached to the Junta de Andalucía issued 13 citations for illegal camping (same as in 2024), 88 infringement notices (compared to 231 in 2024), 15 additional citations related to animal welfare (75% increase), and five for waste dumping (none reported in 2024). The Provincial Traffic Headquarters also reported an increase in movements, totaling 31,544, a 4% rise.
Technological Tools
As a novelty, Plan Romero introduced new technological tools, including the new emergency portal for citizens and its virtual emergency assistant, within the framework of the new Integral Emergency Management Platform of Andalucía (Pigea), new satellite cameras, tests with nesting drones, and solutions for improving road conditions with the installation of gates that allowed for new routes.
Among the technological measures, the implementation of the Digital Radio Network for Emergencies in Andalucía (REJA) stands out, providing communication throughout the procession of the brotherhoods, including the Natural Environment of Doñana, representing a significant advancement in Camino’s safety. Similarly, for the first time, a Communications Center with various REJA dispatch centers was set up at the Integrated Operational Coordination Center (Cecopi) in the village.
The 127 brotherhoods carried a GPS location device installed by the Andalucía Emergency Group (GREA) to track their exact positions, monitor compliance with schedules, and provide a prompt response in case of emergencies. Plan Romero also utilized people flow analysis tools to identify areas with high concentrations in real-time, enabling a tailored response and anticipation of healthcare or population protection needs.
Additionally, the Plan prioritizes the preservation and care of the environment. It is worth noting that the pilgrimage took place during a high-risk period for forest fires due to a significant increase in temperatures. The Junta de Andalucía deployed 400 Plan Infoca personnel, 10 fire engines, nine surveillance towers, forestry specialist groups, two support teams, and nine aircraft to protect the natural path of El Rocío.
The GREA conducted daily drone reconnaissance flights in high-concentration areas to monitor the movement of tractors diverted from Raya Real towards roads in real-time. Additionally, high-powered satellite cameras were installed at strategic points along the routes and in the village. The real-time images captured by these devices were transmitted to the respective Advanced Command Posts (PMA), providing operational teams with detailed insights on crowded areas and facilitating emergency response.
Another key objective of the Plan is to safeguard animal welfare. To ensure proper care for animals during the pilgrimage, a veterinarian and assistant were available 24 hours a day. The veterinary service of the Junta de Andalucía reported a total of nine animal deaths, including seven horses and two mules. The main causes of death among the animals were digestive colics, cardiovascular failures, and severe fractures.
