16-year-old seasonal worker killed in workplace accident in Eleja
A 16-year-old seasonal worker was fatally struck by a tractor while working at "Latraps" grain processing facility in Eleja on Tuesday, dying at the scene. The case has renewed concerns about workplace safety standards at Latvian companies.
A serious workplace accident occurred on Tuesday at the grain primary processing complex of the agricultural service cooperative "Latraps" in Eleja, claiming the life of a seasonal worker. It later emerged that the victim was just 16 years old.
According to information from the TV3 program "Degpunktā," the teenager was struck by a tractor while working in a field, and died at the scene. At the time of the accident, he was working alongside other young people — schoolchildren like himself, employed for summer jobs. The tractor was being driven by a 42-year-old colleague. The tragedy was witnessed by the other young workers, who were sent home after emergency services arrived.
The State Labour Inspectorate confirmed that the young worker had an official employment contract.
Safety concerns raised
"Latraps" board chairman Roberts Strīpnieks expressed condolences to the victim's family, relatives and colleagues, calling it a tragedy that should never have happened and pledging to help clarify the circumstances of the incident.
The "Degpunkts" program noted that last year 21 people died in workplace accidents in Latvia, while this year the toll has already reached 16, raising the possibility that the previous year's grim record could be surpassed. This again brings attention to how companies comply with workplace safety regulations.
As previously reported, "Latraps" recorded a turnover of €254.28 million in the last financial year, which ended on June 30, 2025 — up 4.1% from the previous year — though profit fell 2.9% to €2.738 million. The cooperative was established in 2000 and unites 1,220 members.
