Romanian worker dies in accident at Barcelona's Camp Nou renovation site
A 54-year-old Romanian worker died on Friday after being struck on the head by a beam while painting on a suspended platform at Barcelona's Camp Nou stadium. The club expressed condolences and a police investigation is underway.
Accident details
A 54-year-old Romanian worker died on Friday, 24 July 2026, while painting on a suspended platform during the renovation of FC Barcelona's Camp Nou stadium. He was struck on the head by a beam, according to Spanish press reports cited by AFP. Emergency services were called at 15:30 local time to the Les Corts district but were unable to revive him. The death is the first recorded on the construction site since renovation works began in June 2023.
- Police alerted to workplace injury in Les Corts; worker hit by beam while painting on suspended platform
- Emergency Medical System and police units arrive but cannot save the worker; death confirmed from head blow
- FC Barcelona issues statement expressing deepest condolences; president Laporta offers personal support
- Police notify investigating judge and Department of Business and Labour; investigation into circumstances underway
Club and official reactions
FC Barcelona issued a statement on Saturday expressing deep regret for the loss. The club offered condolences and full support to the worker's family, friends, and colleagues.
FC Barcelona deeply regrets the death of the worker who lost his life yesterday in the workplace accident that occurred during the renovation works at Spotify Camp Nou. The club wishes to express its deepest condolences and extend its heartfelt support to his family, friends, and colleagues.
President Joan Laporta personally conveyed his condolences and placed himself at the family's disposal on behalf of the entire club.
Investigation
Catalan police, the Mossos d'Esquadra, said they received a report at 15:30 on Friday of a workplace accident in the Les Corts district. Officers from the local precinct, the Investigation Unit, and the Emergency Medical System responded but were unable to save the man, who had died from a blow to the head. In line with procedures for workplace deaths, police notified the on-call investigating judge and the Department of Business and Labour. An investigation is now underway to determine the exact circumstances and any potential safety violations.
Project context
The renovation of Camp Nou, which will increase capacity to 105,000 and make it Europe's largest stadium, began in June 2023. The initial completion date agreed with Turkish builder Limak was June 2026, but it was later pushed back to 2027, with the roof installation to follow. The club now expects the works to be finished in early 2028. The project has faced delays linked to permits and complaints about working conditions, according to Ziare.com. Supporters returned to the partially reopened stadium in November 2025, and matches have since been held with limited crowds. The final home match of the 2025-26 season against Real Betis drew 56,868 fans, just over half of the planned full capacity.
