Second Worker Dies at BYD’s Hungary EV Factory Construction Site

A second worker has died during construction of BYD‘s electric vehicle factory in Szeged, Hungary, adding to growing scrutiny over safety and labor practices at the site.

The latest fatality occurred on June 18, just months after another worker died in February, while investigations and labor inspections continue ahead of the factory’s planned production launch later this year.

Authorities investigate latest construction site fatality

According to Hungary’s National Ambulance Service, the worker died after paramedics were unable to revive them despite deploying multiple emergency units, including a rescue helicopter.

Local media reported that the worker was struck by a lorry while at the construction site. The Csongrád-Csanád County Government Office confirmed that authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident, according to CNBC.

The latest death comes shortly after BYD Executive Vice President Stella Li rejected allegations of labor abuses at the facility during an interview with CNBC, stating that the company welcomed labor inspections. BYD had not commented on the second fatality at the time of publication.

The Szeged factory is expected to become BYD’s first passenger vehicle manufacturing plant in Europe and is scheduled to begin full production during the third quarter of 2026.

Labor violations continue to draw scrutiny

The construction project has already faced increased attention over labor practices involving contractors working at the site.

AIM Construction Hungary Ltd., a subsidiary of a company previously linked to a labor scandal at BYD’s factory project in Brazil, was fined 34.5 million forints (about $110,000) over occupational safety violations, according to the county government office.

Authorities also cited the company for late employee registrations, violations involving working time regulations, and deficiencies in employment contracts.

Two additional contractors were also found to be non-compliant. LÉVAI-SECURITY Ltd. was fined for employing workers without proper registration, while Plusz Kéz Ltd. received warnings related to labor supervision issues.

Earlier this year, watchdog organization China Labor Watch published a report alleging forced labor practices at the Szeged construction site. The report included claims that some workers were required to work seven days a week and experienced withheld wages.

Despite the controversy, construction of the facility has continued. BYD began installing production equipment at the site in January, and the company continues to target the third quarter of 2026 for the start of vehicle production.

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