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At least 1,279 workers died in work-related incidents in Türkiye and Türkiye-linked jobs abroad during the first seven months of 2026, including 214 in July, according to a report by the Workers' Health and Occupational Safety Assembly.
Monthly deaths stood at 155 in January, 129 in February, 150 in March, 190 in April, 213 in May, 228 in June and 214 in July.
The July total included 12 child workers, 11 women and 14 migrant workers. Of those who died, 84% were wage earners and 16% were self-employed workers, including farmers and tradespeople.
Construction and road work recorded the highest number of deaths in July with 58, followed by agriculture and forestry with 45, transportation with 20 and shipbuilding, maritime and port work with 18.
By broader sector, 73 workers died in industry, 60 in construction, 45 in agriculture and 36 in services.
Traffic and shuttle crashes were the leading cause of death with 40 fatalities, followed by crushing incidents and collapses with 38 and falls from heights with 31.
Heart attacks and brain hemorrhages caused 25 deaths, while electrocution and violence each accounted for 15. Explosions and fires, as well as poisoning and drowning, caused 11 deaths each.
Four of the 12 child workers who died were aged 14 or younger, while eight were between 15 and 17. Four worked in agriculture, two in metal, two in construction, two in accommodation and one in transportation, while one worker's sector was unidentified.
At least 11 women workers died, including five in agriculture and two in accommodation.
The 14 migrant workers included six Syrians, four Indians, two Afghans, one Iranian and one Ukrainian. The report said many of the migrant deaths involved workers employed by Turkish maritime companies.
Seven workers who died in July were known to be union members, while 207, or 97%, were non-unionized.
The report said the actual number of unionized workers among the dead could be higher because membership information was not always available.
Work-related deaths were recorded in 55 provinces across Türkiye and in seven countries abroad.
Istanbul recorded the highest total with 26 deaths, followed by 10 Türkiye-linked deaths in Ukraine and nine in Antalya.
The report said its July figures were compiled from national and local media as well as information provided by workers' families and colleagues, occupational safety specialists, workplace physicians and trade unions.
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