A taxi driver in the Costa del Sol resort of Fuengirola has been arrested after allegedly punching a 65-year-old Irish tourist to the ground for burping in his cab, leaving the holidaymaker with serious head and facial injuries.
The incident occurred on Monday, February 23rd, near a hotel on the seafront promenade. According to reports, the 51-year-old driver ordered the tourist and a friend out of the vehicle after the older man burped inside, then followed them into the street and knocked the 65-year-old to the ground with a punch. The victim, said to have been under the influence of alcohol, hit his head on the curb and was rushed to hospital.
He was initially treated at the Las Lagunas de Mijas health centre, one of three such facilities in the municipality and part of the Andalusian Regional Public Health Service. Due to the severity of his wounds, he was transferred to the Costa del Sol Hospital in Marbella, the nearest hospital for the area. His current condition is not known.
The second holidaymaker was unharmed. Officers from a National Police rapid response unit, mobilised along with paramedics after alerts from concerned witnesses, arrested the driver at the scene on suspicion of wounding.
The taxi driver, who has not been named, was later released on bail after appearing before an investigating judge. A criminal probe into the incident is ongoing.
A Recurring Problem in Fuengirola
This is not the first time taxi-related violence has erupted in the resort. In November last year, police arrested another driver who allegedly dragged a tourist along the road after an argument over the fare. The holidaymaker, who was trying to stop the cab from driving off with his suitcase in the boot, suffered head injuries requiring stitches and was taken to the same Marbella hospital.
Further incidents in the Costa del Sol region highlight ongoing tensions. In June 2025, a man was arrested in Fuengirola for assaulting a taxi driver after paying the fare but refusing to exit the car. In a more organised crime spree, five individuals including a minor were arrested in Malaga province in February 2026 for allegedly assaulting and robbing taxi drivers, sometimes with weapons. Going back to February 2018, an airport taxi driver in Malaga was arrested for the alleged theft of €2,000 from tourists.
Irish Tourists and Transport Tensions
Separately, there have been several incidents involving Irish tourists and taxi drivers in Spain and Portugal. In April 2024, four Irish holidaymakers were arrested in Barcelona after allegedly assaulting a taxi driver who confronted them for using a ride-hailing service after booking him. They were released on bail pending investigation.
In May 2024, two Irish tourists in Marbella were arrested for allegedly assaulting local police officers who asked them to turn down their music. Further afield, in July 2025, two Irish tourists in Albufeira, Portugal, reported that a taxi driver forced his way into their hotel room and attempted to kiss them.
Other Violent Episodes in the Resort
Fuengirola has seen other violent episodes involving Irish nationals. In June 2019, an Irish man was stabbed to death in a bar, leading to the arrest of a British man. More recently, in April 2025, two people were killed and ten injured when a car ploughed into a restaurant in the town; the driver was an intoxicated woman with no licence.
The investigation into the latest burping-related assault continues, with authorities examining the full circumstances of the altercation.
