Another worker dies while working on Qatar 2022 World Cup venue

Some labor unions claim 1,200 people have been killed while working on projects for the 2022 tournament.

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – Qatar’s bid to host the prestigious FIFA World Cup has taken another bitter turn as officials in Doha announced on Tuesday the death of a laborer working at one of the venues for the 2022 tournament.

A 23-year-old Nepalese man was killed “while working at the Al Wakrah Stadium project site,” the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, Qatar’s World Cup organizing body, said in a statement.

“His next of kin has been informed, and the relevant Qatari and Nepali authorities have been notified,” the statement on the committee’s website continued, adding it “shares its deepest condolences with the family at this time.”

According to the statement, “an investigation has been launched, and further details about the incident will be released in due course.”

The Al Wakrah Stadium is one of eight locations which will host matches during the 2022 World Cup.

In October 2016, another Nepalese worker, 29-year-old Anil Kumar Pasman, was killed after being struck by a lorry at the same venue, France 24 reported.

British construction worker Zac Cox also lost his life while working on the Khalifa International Stadium in January 2017.

Qatar was voted to host the World Cup in 2022 after Russia won the bid to host the 2018 tournament during a December 2010 election.

Since then, the Gulf state has been criticized and monitored over the poor conditions of nearly 1.7 million migrant workers.

Allegations of mistreatment and poor working conditions for laborers have marred Qatar’s World Cup bid, with some claiming 1,200 people had been killed while working on projects for the 2022 tournament.

Doha’s bid to host the World Cup was in jeopardy after a diplomatic row with its Gulf Arab nations last year.

Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and a few other nations wrote to FIFA in July 2017, demanding Qatar be barred from hosting the event.

Officials in Qatar, however, continue to maintain their innocence, and deny reports of any violations.