Second worker dies at BYD's Hungary factory already under scrutiny for labor practices

A second tragic incident has occurred at BYD's electric vehicle factory construction site in Szeged, Hungary, resulting in the death of a worker. This follows a previous fatality at the same site earlier this year. The latest incident, which took place on June 18, has drawn renewed scrutiny over the labor practices at the factory. Reports indicate that the worker was struck by a lorry, and despite the rapid response from paramedics, including the dispatch of several emergency units and a rescue helicopter, efforts to resuscitate the worker were unsuccessful, according to Hungary's National Ambulance Service. In light of this incident, local authorities are actively investigating the circumstances surrounding the worker's death. The Csongrád-Csanád County Government Office has already revealed that AIM Construction Hungary Ltd., a subsidiary of the firm involved in the factory's construction, was previously fined for occupational safety violations. The company was penalized 34,500,000 forints (approximately $110,350) due to various safety issues, including late employee registrations and issues with employment contracts. Furthermore, two additional companies involved in the project, LÉVAI-SECURITY Ltd. and Plusz Kéz Ltd., have also faced scrutiny for non-compliance with labor regulations. As worker safety remains a paramount concern, these events follow a report from China Labor Watch earlier this year, which alleged forced labor practices at the Szeged site, including excessively long work weeks and withheld wages. BYD, headquartered in Shenzhen, has yet to comment on this latest incident. The company previously stated its commitment to labor inspections and addressed the allegations of labor abuse, asserting its dedication to maintaining a safe working environment. Production machinery began arriving at the site in January, with full operations anticipated in the third quarter of 2026.