In the Costa Del Sol in 2025 there have already been a total of ten shootings, leaving five dead and ten injured
British tourists are being warned about a crimewave hitting a popular holiday hotspot – with five dead and ten wounded. The Costa Del Sol is thought to be in the grip of gang warfare with police sayng there have been 10 shooting incidents so far in 2025.
Settling of scores between drug clans is behind the majority of these events in the Spanish tourist area popular with visitors from the UK. Last Saturday an incident on the seafront of Fuengirola, saw two British people dying and another injured.
There have already been 10 shooting incidents on the Costa del Sol in recent weeks. At the beginning of May, three men were arrested after the sixth shooting in just three weeks. Just a few days later, another one occurred in the province, raising the figure to seven shootings in just 45 days.
Scottish gangland shooting victims Ross Monaghan and Eddie Lyons Jnr, 46, were killed at Monaghans bar in Fuengirola on the Costa del Sol on Saturday,
In the Costa Del Sol in 2025 there have already been a total of ten shootings, leaving five dead and ten injured. According to the Ministry of the Interior, between January and March there have been six murders and 14 attempted murders. There have also been 6 kidnappings and 242 serious and less serious crimes of injury through assault.
Costa Del Sol crime 2025
- January 24: A drug trafficking clan carried out 50 shots with automatic weapons in Palmilla.
- March 1: A man, 39, dies shot in the Palmilla neighbourhood in Málaga and his alleged murderer ended up shot in the foot.
- April 3: A man opened fire in broad daylight on Gaucín Street. Four people were injured.
- April 17: Two people were injured in a shooting in the Portada Alta neighbourhood, in Málaga capital, due to family disagreements, according to investigation sources. A court sent one of the five detainees to prison.
- April 18: The shooting happened near a Marbella nightclub, at dawn, when a man shot another, who was seriously injured, and fled in a vehicle.
- April 21: In Mijas, there was a shooting in which an English national man died. He was shot by a person with a hidden face and shortly afterwards a burning vehicle was found nearby, with a weapon inside.
- April 22: In Estepona, the shots were registered in a squatted house in Cancelada. There were no victims, but there was neighbourhood panic and a large police deployment.
- April 30: In Humilladero, a man was shot dead and a 70-year-old woman was injured. Three suspects surrendered hours later.
- May 11: In the Cruz de Humilladero neighbourhood, a man was injured by a firearm in an underground car park. No one was arrested.
- May 31: In Fuengirola, an individual shoots two Scottish men dead in what appears to be a settling of scores between clans dedicated to drug trafficking.
The last incident occurred at midnight in Fuengirola. Two people have died and another has been injured this past Saturday after a shooting in a pub on the Paseo Marítimo Rey de España, located in the municipality of Fuengirola.
According to the Emergency Service 112 Andalusia, the shooting occurred around 11:30 p.m. A dozen neighbours gave notice to 112 after hearing shots in the area.
After these notices, 112 deployed the Civil Guard, National and Local Police services, who later confirmed that two people had died from gunshot wounds and a third had been injured.
The Government Subdelegate in Málaga, Francisco Javier Salas, said that both victims were of Scottish nationality, the first of the deceased received an impact in the chest and the second in the chest and abdomen. He also stated that the shooter escaped from the scene and therefore, the National Police activated the protocols of the Costa del Sol Plan against crime to search for and locate the alleged perpetrator.
At the moment, no arrests have been made for this event and an investigation has been opened to clarify the case, ABC Espania reported.
There are also reports of one shooting every three nights in Andalusia. Between 31 March and 10 May, 14 incidents involving firearms were recorded in various provinces.
Malaga accumulates half of the cases in which guns have taken to the streets to settle scores. The region has experienced a significant increase in gun violence, with firearms reportedly becoming more prevalent on the streets.
Large criminal organisations have access to increasingly heavy weaponry, but smaller gangs, local drug dealers, and even street thugs can now obtain a 9mm Glock for €6,000. ABC Espania reported this semi-automatic pistol is commonly used in settling scores, alongside submachine guns and assault rifles like the AK-47.
The UK Foreign Office has spoken about crime in Spain and what people should do to avoid falling victim:
Street crime
Thieves use distraction techniques and often work in teams. Take care of your passports, money and personal belongings, particularly when collecting or checking in luggage at the airport, and while arranging car hire.
Highway pirates
‘Highway pirates’ target foreign-registered and hire cars, especially those towing caravans. They may flag you down, claiming there is something wrong with your car or that you have damaged theirs. If you decide to stop to check the condition of a vehicle, stop in a public area with lights, such as a service station. Be wary of anyone offering help.
When driving, be wary of approaches from people posing as plainclothes police in unmarked cars. In all traffic-related matters, police officers will usually be in uniform.
Unmarked police vehicles have a flashing electronic sign on the rear window saying ‘Policía’ or ‘Guardia Civil’. Genuine police will only ask you to show vehicle documents – not to hand over your bag or wallet.
Drink spiking and alcohol
The Foreign Office says: “Be alert to the possible use of ‘date rape’ and other drugs including GHB and liquid ecstasy.
“Buy your own drinks and always keep them in sight to avoid them being spiked. Alcohol and drugs can reduce your vigilance, making you less in control. If you drink, know your limit. Drinks served in bars in Spain are often stronger than those in the UK.”
For more official safety advice for Spain click here.
