Worker's Death in Alcarràs Attributed to 'Heat Stress', Affirmed by Autopsy Report
In a tragic incident during a heatwave in Alcarrás, Lleida, a seasonal worker died while working in an orchard, reported by the Efe news agency citing the Segre newspaper. The worker, a 61-year-old agricultural labourer hired through a temporary employment agency, collapsed between 16:24 and 16:50.
The exact cause of death was reported as acute cardiorespiratory failure in the context of heat stress according to the preliminary autopsy report. The incident has sparked investigations by both labor and judicial authorities, as they seek to determine employer liability under occupational health and safety laws.
The Mossos d'Esquadra have submitted a report to the court and Labor Inspectorate to clarify the circumstances and assess any breach of occupational safety regulations. The report also includes statements made by the deceased's son, Idiu Vranciu, who expressed his demand for justice.
According to Vranciu, his father asked to go home around 13:30 as he wasn't feeling well, but his request was refused by the supervisor who told him to rest under a tree instead. An ambulance was not called until 16:00, according to Vranciu's account.
Employers in Spain have a legal duty to protect workers from heat-related risks. This includes conducting heat risk assessments, implementing heat illness prevention plans, providing water and shade, training workers, and monitoring conditions during work. Failure to fulfill these duties can lead to legal liabilities, penalties, and possible criminal charges if negligence is found.
In Spain and the EU, labor laws are increasingly evolving to protect seasonal agricultural workers, who often face extreme heat exposure. Employers must comply with both national safety regulations and EU guidelines aimed at preventing heat stress fatalities among outdoor workers.
Possible legal actions include a labor inspection investigation to verify employer compliance with heat stress protection obligations, a judicial inquiry into criminal liability if employer negligence caused the death, civil claims by the worker’s family for damages due to occupational negligence or unsafe working conditions, and potential penalties under occupational safety laws requiring employers to maintain heat illness prevention protocols.
Ongoing investigations will clarify if the employer or employment agency breached their duties, which could trigger prosecution under Spanish occupational health and safety law for failure to protect worker health outdoors in extreme heat. The family has not ruled out taking legal action, as they seek answers and justice for their loss.
