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Hungarian worker dies, colleague fighting for life after accident at Austrian steel plant
A Hungarian worker has died and his colleague remains in a life-threatening condition following a tragic industrial accident at a major steelworks in Leoben-Donawitz, Austria.
According to Index, the incident occurred on Tuesday morning at the Voestalpine Stahl Donawitz GmbH plant, one of the country’s largest and most advanced steel production facilities. The two men, aged 26 and 20, were reportedly carrying out renovation and cutting work in an underground shaft when carbon monoxide was suddenly released.
According to initial police information, the gas leak happened shortly before midday during the cutting operations. Carbon monoxide is a colourless and odourless gas that can cause unconsciousness within minutes and can be fatal when inhaled in high concentrations.
The pair were discovered by their supervisor, who immediately alerted emergency services. The older worker could not be resuscitated and died at the scene. His younger colleague was airlifted by the Christophorus 17 rescue helicopter to a regional hospital in Graz, where doctors say he remains in critical condition and is still fighting for his life.
Austrian authorities have launched an investigation to determine the exact circumstances of the accident. In addition to the police, occupational safety officials are also examining whether all safety regulations were followed and what may have caused the deadly gas build-up.
Local reports suggest both victims are Hungarian nationals from Vésztő in Békés County and may have been employed by an external subcontractor at the facility, although this has not yet been officially confirmed.
The Donawitz plant, operating since 1878, is considered a flagship site of Austria’s steel industry and uses state-of-the-art manufacturing technology.
A similarly unfortunate event happened in Hungary this week: