Worker killed after being run over by heavy vehicle in Koya

KOYA — A worker was killed Tuesday morning when he was run over by a heavy vehicle at the Koya–Erbil highway project, according to relatives.

Qaraman Ahmed, a family member of the victim, told 964media, “They only told us that he was run over by a road roller and died because of it.” He added, “He was sleeping in front of the vehicle, the driver did not see him and drove over him.”

The man, who was in his 30s, was married and the father of five children, relatives said. His body was buried in Haji Wissu village cemetery, Koya.

According to the Kurdistan Construction Workers’ Organization, at least 17 construction-related deaths were recorded in Sulaymaniyah between January and August 2024, alongside nine in Erbil and eight in the Garmian region. The organization cited poor safety standards, lack of protective equipment, and inadequate training as major contributing factors. Falls, electrocution, structural collapses, machinery accidents, and severe bleeding were among the most common causes of death.