This is the moment a Palm Sunday procession in Sevilla was brought to a sudden halt after an ambulance mistakenly drove straight through the main parade route.

The incident unfolded on Avenida de la Constitucion, one of the most iconic stretches of the Semana Santa procession.

At the same time, Hermandad de la Estrella was also on the carrera oficial.

Both processions were forced to stop as the ambulance crossed the avenue en route to Plaza Nueva.

Initially, the crowd believed it was a genuine emergency.

Spectators even applauded as the float carrying the Virgin carefully manoeuvred aside to let the vehicle pass – an intricate and unusual movement rarely seen during Semana Santa.

Barriers along Calle Alemanes had to be temporarily moved to allow the ambulance through.

But it later emerged there was no emergency on the route.

According to regional health authorities, the vehicle – operated by a private company – was carrying out a routine patient transfer and had entered the procession route due to ‘human error’ while following instructions from the city’s emergency coordination centre.

Despite the disruption, the situation was resolved without major consequences beyond further delays to an already troubled Palm Sunday.

The ambulance mix-up was just the latest in a string of setbacks during the first major day of Semana Santa.

Earlier in the day, a fire in Calle Cuna forced route changes, while strong winds caused multiple incidents across the city – including falling barriers near Plaza de la Encarnacion and a tree branch breaking during a procession.

Read more Andalucia news at the Spanish Eye.