Workplace fatalities rise across Catalonia

The regional union CCOO has denounced an "alarming increase" in fatal workplace accidents across Catalonia after data from the Generalitat's Observatori del Treball i Model Productiu showed 43 workers died during working hours between January and July 2026. That is a 10.26% increase compared to the same period in 2025. An additional 17 deaths occurred while commuting (classified as 'in itinere'), bringing the total number of work-related fatalities to 60.

Barcelona leads in fatalities and incidents

Of the 43 on-the-job deaths in Catalonia, 27, or 62.8%, occurred in the Barcelona administrative region. This represents a 12.5% increase over the same period last year, outpacing the regional average. Between January and June 2026, the province recorded 33,527 workplace accidents requiring sick leave, accounting for 70.9% of all such cases in Catalonia. Despite this high volume, Barcelona had the lowest incidence rate among Catalonia’s four provinces: 2,308.57 accidents per 100,000 insured workers, below the regional average of 2,485.85. Lleida had the highest rate at 3,432.92 per 100,000, followed by Girona (3,008.92) and Tarragona (2,830.39).

Sector and cause breakdown

The services sector accounted for the most accidents in Barcelona, with 22,324 cases, 66.6% of the provincial total, and 15 worker deaths, more than half of the region’s fatal toll. Industry reported 6,908 accidents and 8 deaths; construction, 4,064 accidents and 4 deaths; agriculture had 231 accidents but no fatalities. Among the 27 on-the-job deaths in Barcelona:

  • 15 were due to non-traumatic causes such as heart attacks or strokes
  • 10 resulted from traumatic injuries like falls or electrocutions
  • 2 occurred in traffic-related incidents at work

Non-traumatic deaths rose sharply, increasing 66.7% compared to the same period in 2025, far exceeding the Catalan-wide rise of 43.75%.

Comarca-level risks

By comarca, Barcelonès recorded the highest number of workplace accidents and deaths, with 13,260 incidents and 12 fatalities. Vallès Occidental followed with 5,881 accidents and 6 deaths; Baix Llobregat had 5,213 accidents and 2 deaths.

The rise in workplace mortality calls into question corporate prevention policies and the lack of effective public action, says CCOO.

CCOO attributes the worsening trend to structural issues in the productive model, including high workloads, low wages and insufficient value-added activities. The union is calling on the Generalitat and Spanish government to launch emergency safety plans, expand labour inspection resources and implement safe mobility policies for commuters.

Primary sources: govern.cat, Observatori del Treball i Model Productiu. Generalitat de Catalunya. Departament d'Empresa i Treball, govern.cat, govern.cat, Departament d'Empresa i Ocupació, treball.gencat.cat. Reported by Premsa, Llagostera Ràdio, Eduard Salvador, beteve.cat, Paula Solanas Alfaro, Mar Puerto, Adrià Torres, metropoliabierta.cat.