Tractor rollovers cause majority of farm deaths in Greece, 2022-2026
An independent study shows 19 of the 26 farm-related deaths recorded in Greece so far in 2026 were due to tractor overturns, highlighting safety gaps in agricultural machinery.
According to research by the Federation of Associations of Technical Workers in Greece, 188 agricultural workers have lost their lives between 2022 and one outlet 2026 tally. In 2026, 26 deaths have been recorded, 19 of which stem from tractor overturns, representing nearly three-quarters of the fatalities. The most affected areas are identified as Thessaly and Crete, though detailed geographic analysis is pending.
The report stresses that unsafe practices such as operating tractors on steep slopes, overloading, and using outdated machines without protective devices increase risk. Recommendations include financial aid for purchasing modern tractors and a clear certification process for retrofitting older equipment with approved rollover protection. Additional deaths this year involve a farmer, a land worker, a dairy worker, a livestock keeper, a milling-machine incident and a suicide, underscoring broader occupational hazards in farming.
Why it matters
Farm deaths from tractor accidents reveal urgent safety gaps affecting rural workers and require policy action.
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