Qatar says worker's death at soccer World Cup investigated

Qatari officials said on Thursday that a work safety investigation has been launched into the death of a worker after reports that a Filipino man died at a training site during the soccer World Cup, which was marked by controversy over treatment of migrant workers.

Nasser Al Khater, Chief Executive of the 2022 World Cup in Doha, confirmed that a worker died, without providing specifics, and said that death is a natural part of life, while offering condolences to his family.

A Filipino man contracted to fix lights in a car park at the Sealine Resort, the training site of the Saudi national team, died on Wednesday after slipping off a ramp while walking alongside the vehicle and falling headfirst against concrete Citing multiple unnamed sources, the accident occurred during the World Cup, but did not specify when.

The resort did not respond immediately to a query by Reuters.

If the safety protocols are not followed, the company will be subject to legal action and severe financial penalties, a Qatari government official said in a statement when contacted by Reuters.

The rate of work-related accidents in Qatar has declined since strict health and safety standards were introduced and enforcement has been stepped up, the official said.