Due to the failure to comply with safety measures, in separate incidents at construction sites in Kosovo, at least two persons recently died, and another was injured.
On April 13, a 22-year-old man from the Malisheva municipality passed away at the University Clinical Centre, QKUK, in Prishtina due to injuries sustained in a construction site accident on April 7.
The Gjakova/Djakovica prosecution told KALLXO.com that it is investigating the case as a criminal violation of “destruction, damage or removal of protective equipment and endangering safety in the workplace.”
Agim Hyseni, from the Central Labour Inspectorate, told KALLXO.com that the now deceased individual was cleaning the pump of a concrete transporting truck, which was not turned off.
Several incidents in various construction sites of multi-story buildings in Kosovo have recently resulted in tragic consequences, with workers either dying or being severely injured.
On April 6, the ground collapsed at a construction site in the Velania neighbourhood in Prishtina. One day prior, one 40-year-old worker tragically lost his life, and another was injured, at another construction site in the Veternik neighbourhood after soil slippage.
These incidents highlight alarming safety lapses in the construction sector, where developers often neglect legal safety requirements designed to protect workers and prevent such disasters. Whistleblowers told KALLXO.com that many construction companies are skipping these safety measures in the early stages of development to save hundreds of thousands of euros.
No safety measures in sight
The construction site in the Vetenik neighbourhood of Prishtina, where a worker died on April 6, 2025. Photo: BIRN
When developers apply for building permits, they must present a plan to the municipality outlining not only the construction process but also the safety measures for the site, including the prevention of soil erosion in surrounding areas, KALLXO.com found.
For construction projects that extend several floors underground in urban areas, securing the worksite is typically done using pilings or concrete barriers designed to prevent soil shifts. This process can be costly, ranging from 200,000 to 500,000 euros per project.
According to Kosovo law, all construction sites must be regularly monitored by building inspectors to ensure that safety protocols are followed. If any rules are violated, the municipality is required to intervene, usually by placing warning tapes to halt construction. In both of the recent soil collapse incidents, however, the construction areas had not been properly secured according to safety standards. Moreover, the municipality failed to place warning tapes, allowing the work to continue unchecked.
In the Kallxo Pernime TV Programme on April 13, a KALLXO.com crew visited the two construction sites where the soil collapses occurred. Neither of the involved construction companies was willing to comment on the incidents.
Bedrie Rexhepi, the lawyer for an individual arrested in connection with the fatal soil collapse incident in Veternik neighbourhood, where one worker died and another was injured, stated that the case is still in its early stages and she could not provide further details.
She mentioned that her “client is only a subcontractor and investigations are still ongoing.” These investigations involve both the construction company and the municipality’s Inspectorate and the Labor Inspectorate.
Failure of Municipal Inspection System
Landslide at a construction site in the ‘Velania’ neighborhood of Prishtina on April 6. Photo: BIRN
Regarding the incidents in the capital, Dahsyla reached out to the Directorate of Inspections in Prishtina. Bekim Brestovci, the head of the municipal inspection department, declined to give an interview.
KALLXO.com also attempted to reach Florian Dushi, the former head of the Inspection Directorate, who is now the Deputy Mayor of Prishtina. When asked about decisions to halt construction due to safety violations, Dushi stated that he could not recall such decisions, as those are made by the inspectors.
Dushi confirmed that fines and work stoppages had been issued during his term for failure to install necessary safety measures like pilings. However, he emphasised that “the number of building inspectors in the city is insufficient, more than four or five times the current number of inspectors is needed. Unfortunately, low salaries discourage potential candidates from applying for these positions.”
For several months, KALLXO.com has sought access to the Municipality of Prishtina’s inspection records, which contain information on the safety inspections conducted at construction sites. However, the municipality has refused access, citing “the large volume of files.”
Arsim Rapuca, the director of the Kosovo Chamber of Building Engineers, explained why some construction companies cut concrete walls on-site for safety.
“While there are multiple methods for protecting excavation sites, the most important step is securing the construction area. This includes surrounding the site and ensuring that slopes are properly calculated based on soil conditions to prevent soil erosion.”
Blerim Igrishta, the prosecutor investigating the fatal accident and injury at the construction site in Veternik, confirmed that a suspect has been arrested, and investigations are ongoing into the company responsible for the project.
Igrishta confirmed that criminal investigations are underway for charges related to “the removal or destruction of safety equipment and endangering worker safety.”
The prosecutor also noted that the absence of safety measures at the site and the lack of proper equipment are key areas of suspicion in the ongoing investigation.
Igrishta emphasised that the Prosecutor’s Office is treating these cases with greater urgency in 2025.
“A prosecutor has been appointed specifically to handle these types of cases, and monthly reports will be submitted to the Chief Prosecutor on their progress. Additionally, there are efforts to strengthen cooperation with the municipal Inspectorate and other relevant bodies to prevent such incidents in the future”.
English version prepared by Ardita Zeqiri