A British man, aged 29, was shot dead on January 21 in Costa Blanca, Spain, as violent crime escalates in the region. His body was discovered at a residential property north of the popular tourist destination Torrevieja. Local authorities responded to a tip-off from friends who expressed concern for his safety, leading to the grim discovery.
According to the Civil Guard, detectives are treating this incident as a potential drug-related murder. As of now, no arrests have been made in connection with the shooting. This incident marks the latest in a troubling series of violent crimes affecting British nationals in the area.
Recent Violent Incidents in the Region
The Costa Blanca has seen a sharp increase in violent crime, particularly involving foreign nationals. Just weeks prior to this shooting, another British man was attacked in a nearby underground car park, where he was shot multiple times. Investigators are exploring the possibility that these incidents, along with others targeting both British and Irish citizens, may be interconnected.
In December, a failed assassination attempt occurred in Orihuela Costa, where a 32-year-old British man was fired upon with around 15 bullets as he sat in his vehicle. Fortunately, he survived the attack and was admitted to Torrevieja University Hospital, where he received intensive care. This individual had been recently released on bail pending trial for his involvement in an armed robbery at a cannabis club in San Fulgencio.
In another shocking incident, an Irishman was critically injured after being shot in the head near La Zenia Boulevard shopping centre in May. Two suspects were later apprehended on charges of attempted murder. Furthermore, in June, a second Irishman was stabbed in the neck, also near the same shopping centre, leading to a life-saving operation.
Broader Context of Crime in Alicante
The rising crime rates in Alicante province are concerning. In the first half of 2025, the overall crime rate increased by 4.7% compared to the previous year. Notably, Torrevieja has the highest crime ratio in the province, with five crimes reported per 100 residents.
Recent law enforcement actions have attempted to curb this trend. Last week, five individuals were arrested during a major drug trafficking crackdown in Alicante. The National Police dismantled a network allegedly responsible for distributing cocaine and ecstasy throughout Torrevieja and Almoradí. During the operation, authorities seized 4.5 kilograms of cocaine, one kilogram of ecstasy pills, and €14,000 in cash.
This surge in violent crime is not isolated. In Catalonia, there are more than 50 reported crimes each hour, with thefts and cyber fraud making up nearly half of all detected offenses. Even as some crime rates have declined, drug trafficking offenses have risen by 8.4%, further highlighting the ongoing challenges law enforcement faces.
The recent violence involving foreign nationals in Costa Blanca raises serious concerns about safety in popular tourist areas. As investigators continue to piece together the connections between these incidents, the local community and visitors alike are left to grapple with the implications of this unsettling trend.
