A second fatality has occurred at BYD's construction site in Szeged, Hungary, following a previous death in February. The latest incident, which involved a worker being struck by a lorry on June 18, has prompted an investigation by local authorities.
This comes amid ongoing scrutiny of BYD's labor practices, including allegations of forced labor and unsafe working conditions reported by China Labor Watch. The construction firm responsible, AIM Construction Hungary Ltd., has faced fines for various labor violations, including issues related to employee registration and working time regulations.
BYD's executive vice president, Stella Li, had previously denied allegations of labor abuse and stated that the company welcomed inspections. With full production expected to begin in the third quarter of 2026, these incidents could significantly affect BYD's operational integrity and public image as it expands its electric vehicle manufacturing capabilities