A young man died after being struck by a taxi near Menorca airport. Taxi drivers warn of repeated dangerous behavior linked to a nearby nightclub. Police are investigating the circumstances.
A fatal accident at the access road to Menorca airport has brought renewed attention to a risky pattern that local taxi drivers say has become all too common. Early Tuesday morning, a young man was killed after being run over by a taxi just meters from the Maó terminal. The incident occurred around 5 a.m., before sunrise, on the San Clemente road, a stretch known for low traffic at that hour but also for unpredictable hazards.
According to taxi associations, the problem is not isolated. Drivers report that, especially during the nightclub season, individuals leaving a nearby club frequently enter the roadway in attempts to hail taxis. Some reportedly lie down on the road, throw objects, or shout at passing vehicles, hoping to secure a ride back to their accommodation. These actions, drivers say, create dangerous situations not only near the airport but also in other nightlife hotspots across the island, including the port of Maó, Son Bou, and Cova den Xoroi.
The president of Radio Taxi Menorca, Digna Tur, has voiced frustration over the lack of preventive measures, noting that requests for increased security at known trouble spots have often gone unanswered. She points out that the risks are not limited to the airport area and that similar incidents have occurred during local festivals and in other busy nightlife zones. Tur emphasizes that the safety of both drivers and passengers is at stake, as some individuals deliberately block the road or act aggressively toward taxis.
Police in Maó have taken charge of the investigation into Tuesday's fatality. While they acknowledge the incident, they state that there is no official record of such cases being recurrent. Investigators are considering several possibilities, including whether the victim was a nightclub patron who fell asleep on the roadside or was en route to catch a flight. They are also working to rule out any prior criminal activity related to the accident. Footage from the taxi's onboard camera confirms that the victim was lying on the road at the time of the collision. Authorities have appealed for witnesses who may have seen the events leading up to the tragedy.
The incident has caused significant concern among airport staff, many of whom were arriving for early shifts when the accident occurred. Union representatives at Aena Menorca have reiterated longstanding warnings about the dangers posed by the nightclub's proximity to the airport, citing previous issues such as broken glass and thrown objects. They also highlight the risk posed by speeding vehicles, including both taxis and rental cars, in the terminal area. Both the union and taxi association are calling for the airport management to implement stricter controls and increase surveillance during high-risk hours.
Menorca's airport is a key transport hub for the island, especially during the tourist season when nightlife activity peaks. The combination of late-night clubgoers and early-morning airport traffic creates a unique set of safety challenges. While the authorities continue their investigation, the incident has reignited debate over the need for better coordination between local police, airport management, and transport services to prevent further tragedies. The case also underscores the broader issue of road safety in areas where nightlife and transport infrastructure intersect, a concern that has been raised in other Spanish tourist destinations as well.
