Homeless Man Stabs Stranger in Neck at Airport

A chilling knife attack at Palma de Mallorca Airport has sparked outrage and concern, not just for the act itself, but for what it reveals about a growing homelessness crisis gripping Spain's airports. The attacker, a 45-year-old Salvadoran man, is suspected of living inside the terminal where the incident took place.

A Shocking, Unprovoked Attack

It was just a typical Tuesday morning when panic swept through the arrivals area of Palma Airport. A young Argentine man had come to meet a friend. While walking to the car park, he was suddenly approached by a stranger asking about his phone. Seconds later, the stranger pulled a knife and stabbed him in the neck — just centimeters from a major artery.

According to authorities, the suspect then claimed he didn't remember the attack. Witnesses say he seemed agitated after losing his phone and may have mistakenly believed the victim had it. Police arrested the attacker at the scene. The victim survived and received treatment for his injuries.

Who Is the Attacker?

The man behind the assault is reportedly homeless and has been sleeping at Palma Airport for some time. He has no address and is believed to be part of a growing community of rough sleepers using Spanish airports for shelter.

His defense attorney, Ivan Garcia Lopez, confirmed that his client is under investigation for attempted homicide but is currently seeking bail. Meanwhile, police are continuing their investigation.

Airports as Shelters — A National Issue

This disturbing event is part of a larger trend that's hard to ignore. Across Spain, airports like Madrid-Barajas and Malaga have become makeshift homes for hundreds of homeless people. Reports suggest that more than 400 people are currently living inside Madrid's airport alone.

These individuals live in terminal corners, on cardboard beds, or sprawled across chairs in waiting areas. Some have been there for years. Conditions have deteriorated so much that airports have had to be fumigated for bugs like bedbugs, ticks, and cockroaches. Passengers and staff have reported bites, while airport staff in Malaga claim they've seen insects climbing the walls.

Violence at the Gates

Unfortunately, this wasn't an isolated event. Just days earlier, another airport stabbing occurred at Gran Canaria Airport. In that case, a teen suspect attempted to rob a taxi driver and then lunged at police officers with an 8-inch knife. He was shot dead on site by law enforcement after attempting to stab an officer.

The uptick in violence at travel hubs — which are supposed to be secure zones — has rattled both locals and tourists. Social media users and local residents have expressed frustration over what they describe as deteriorating safety conditions at Majorca's busiest airport.

A Broader Crisis, a Local Flashpoint

While the Palma stabbing is drawing headlines, it's also drawing attention to the broader systemic issues playing out across Spain. Homelessness at airports has become its own epidemic, fueled by a lack of affordable housing, limited support services, and in some cases, the comparative shelter of climate-controlled airport terminals.

Some rough sleepers are known to suffer from addiction and mental health issues, often left untreated. At Madrid's airport, the scene has been described as a "hidden city" — with urine puddles, discarded drug paraphernalia, and erratic behavior on display to stunned travelers, the U.S. Sun reported.

While officials have acknowledged the problem, little appears to be changing quickly enough. The Majorca attack might finally put enough pressure on authorities to act decisively.

What Happens Next?

As the accused attacker awaits a court hearing, questions continue to mount. Was this an isolated breakdown, or part of a more dangerous pattern? And how long can Spain's major transit centers operate with dual roles — both as transportation hubs and informal shelters?

Travelers are understandably shaken. According to Mirror, one local said, "If this isn't a wake up call, I don't know what will be."

Authorities have launched investigations in both Majorca and Gran Canaria, but any long-term solution will need to address the roots of Spain’s urban homelessness crisis, not just its symptoms.

References: Random Majorca airport knife attacker 'is homeless man who lives at terminal' | Palma de Mallorca airport horror attack as man stabbed in neck 'for no reason'