Factory Worker Killed by Truck, Company Remains Silent
A worker has died at the construction site of BYD’s electric vehicle factory in Szeged, Hungary, after reportedly being struck by a truck. This is the second worker death at the site in recent months, once again highlighting safety concerns at the project.
The Hungarian National Ambulance Service stated that the worker died on 18 June after unsuccessful resuscitation attempts by medical teams. Several emergency response units, including a rescue helicopter, were deployed to the scene.
Local media reported that the victim was hit by a truck within the construction area. Meanwhile, the Csongrád-Csanád County Government Office said authorities are investigating the cause and circumstances of the incident.
Shenzhen-based BYD has not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the worker’s death. The incident occurred just weeks after BYD Executive Vice President Stella Li denied allegations of labour violations at the project. Earlier this month, Li told CNBC that BYD was open to inspections by labour authorities.
AIM Construction Hungary Ltd., a subsidiary of the contractor previously linked to a labour scandal at a BYD factory project in Brazil in 2024, was fined 34.5 million forints, approximately US$110,350, for workplace safety violations. The Csongrád-Csanád County Government Office also stated that AIM Construction received warnings for other infractions, including delayed worker registration, breaches of working time regulations, and administrative defects in employment contracts.
Two other companies were also found to be non-compliant with labour regulations. LÉVAI-SECURITY Ltd. was fined for employing workers without proper registration, whilst Plusz Kéz Ltd. received a warning concerning labour supervision violations.
Previously, the New York-based watchdog China Labor Watch published a report alleging forced labour practices at the BYD construction site in Szeged. The report claimed some workers were required to work seven days a week and experienced withholding of wage payments.
BYD began moving production equipment to the site in January. According to a previous statement by Executive Vice President Stella Li, full production at the facility is targeted to commence in the third quarter of 2026.