Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia – A Pakistani migrant worker has died after falling from an upper level while working on the construction of the Aramco Stadium, one of the key venues for the 2034 FIFA World Cup.

The fatal accident, which occurred on March 12, marks the first known death linked to World Cup preparations in Saudi Arabia.

Muhammad Arshad, a foreman from Pakistan, was working on formwork operations at height when the platform he was standing on tilted, according to a statement from Besix Group, a Belgian construction multinational whose subsidiary, Six Construct, is one of the main contractors at the site.

Although Arshad was equipped with a personal fall-arrest system, he was not connected to an anchor point at the time, resulting in his fatal fall. Emergency services rushed him to the hospital, but he succumbed to his injuries.

The 47,000-seater stadium in the eastern city of Al Khobar is one of 11 new venues being built for the 2034 World Cup.

The Gulf kingdom’s selection as host has drawn criticism from human rights groups, who have raised concerns about the safety and exploitation of migrant workers.

Amnesty International warned of potential dangers, stating, “Migrant workers will face exploitation and many will die.”

Following the incident, workers at the site were allegedly instructed to delete any video footage of the accident and refrain from discussing it, according to a source who was present.

Besix responded to these claims, stating that workers were asked to respect the victim’s family by not sharing images of the tragedy online.

Arshad, who was in his mid-30s, leaves behind a wife and three young sons, aged between two and seven. His father, Muhammad Bashir, expressed the family’s grief, saying, “We have just fallen from the sky to the ground.

The whole family is in a state of shock.” Arshad’s body was repatriated to Pakistan on March 19, where he was laid to rest.

Saudi labor laws require employers to compensate families in cases of workplace fatalities. Besix has assured that it is working to ensure all payments and benefits are handled “in a timely and respectful manner.”

However, Bashir stated that the family had not yet been contacted directly by his son’s employer but had received assurances through a relative in Saudi Arabia that they would receive Arshad’s outstanding wages and benefits.

The construction of Aramco Stadium is at an advanced stage, with thousands of migrant workers, primarily from Bangladesh and Pakistan, laboring on the project in two shifts.

Aramco, the state-owned oil giant, is overseeing the development of the stadium and recently became FIFA’s most lucrative sponsor.

An investigation last year uncovered reports of migrant workers enduring exploitative conditions at the site, including illegal recruitment fees, withheld wages, and inadequate living conditions. Workers reported 10-hour shifts in scorching 45°C (113°F) heat for meager pay.

World Cup-related construction is part of Saudi Arabia’s broader Vision 2030 strategy, which aims to transform the kingdom’s global image. However, the country’s reliance on low-wage migrant labor has drawn scrutiny over labor rights abuses.

In a statement, Besix emphasized its commitment to worker welfare, acknowledging challenges in some regions.

“Our priority is to ensure that all workers are treated with dignity and fairness,” the company said. Aramco also released a statement reaffirming its commitment to worker safety. FIFA has yet to comment on the incident.

This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members