Taxi driver attacked at Malaga airport by unlicensed driver
The alleged assault occurred on Saturday night, and police are investigating the incident
A taxi driver was hospitalised after allegedly being struck on the head with an iron bar at Malaga Airport on Saturday 8 March. The assault, which took place at around 11.30pm, is said to have been unprovoked, with no prior argument or confrontation between the driver and his attacker.According to Nicolás González, spokesperson for the Malaga Élite Taxi association, the unlicensed drivers were causing disturbances at the airport’s arrivals area, targeting licensed taxi drivers before the assault took place.
The suspect, believed to be a former unlicensed taxi driver, was with a group of other unlicensed drivers who were harassing licensed taxi drivers, insulting them and recording videos. The suspect then attacked the victim with an iron bar.
Upon arrival at the hospital, the injured driver was temporarily paralysed but regained full use of his body shortly after. National Police are now investigating the cause of the attack, which has naturally raised concerns within the local taxi community.
Miguel Ángel Martín, president of Malaga's self-employed taxi drivers association (Aumat), condemned the incident and highlighted that it is part of a troubling pattern of aggression from "pirate" taxi drivers operating at the airport.
"We are in danger and authorities have the responsibility to find a solution and protect us during our working hours," he said.
"We need police presence at the airport to prevent these kinds of incidents."
Taxi drivers from Aumat have made multiple requests for meetings with the government to discuss these concerns, but so far, no response has been received. Now, they plan to request a meeting with the mayor of Malaga, Francisco de la Torre, to address the ongoing issue.
National Police officers have opened an investigation to discover the root cause for the aggression, which is, unfortunately, not something new among taxi drivers.
Image: Archive
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