Seasonal worker in Alcarràs died of acute respiratory failure amid 'heat stress'

The preliminary report of the autopsy on the seasonal worker who passed away while picking fruit in Alcarràs on Tuesday has revealed that he died from acute respiratory failure in a context of "heat stress."

According to the relatives of 61-year-old Gheorghe Vranciu, the man began to feel unwell at noon, but his bosses told him to rest in the shade and did not call an ambulance until mid-afternoon.

Social entities, including Fruita amb Justícia Social, as well as other trade unions, will gather on Thursday evening at 7.30 pm in front of the Fira de Lleida pavilion under the slogan 'Enough abuses in the countryside'.

The organizers describe the death of the worker, who was picking fruit in more than 40 degree temperatures, as "murder," and explain that the protest also wants to denounce "exploitation and racism" and claim "rights and dignity for those who work the land."

Agroalimentària El Pla, the company for which the man worked through a seasonal work group, said they would launch an "exhaustive" internal review with the aim of reinforcing prevention protocols.

For its part, Empleo Express, the temporary employment company, indicated that the man had received training and information on occupational risks.