Man electrocuted stealing copper in Spain, a recurring crime

Man electrocuted stealing copper in Almería, Spain: the risk of a frequent crime

A Segarro national has died in Almería, Spain, after being electrocuted by a high-voltage line while allegedly stealing copper cable. The incident, common in areas with electrical infrastructure, highlights the danger of a incivil activity that has surged alongside the price of copper. The victim, with no training in handling electricity, faced a deadly risk that statistics on copper theft in Spain place as a recurring problem.

The profile of copper theft in Spain

Copper is a sought-after material on the black market, with prices exceeding 7,000 euros per tonne. This has led to an increase in thefts from electrical installations, which caused millions in losses in 2023. Electrocutions are the most tragic consequence: at least ten similar deaths have been recorded in the past year. The lack of job alternatives and social protection push people in vulnerable situations into these crimes.

A debate tinged with social irony

The incident has sparked reactions ranging from criticism of the system to sarcasm about the "profession" of stealing copper. Some comments stress the lack of integration policies that could prevent these deaths, while others point to the recurring pattern: untrained migrants risking their lives for a few kilos of metal. The Almería case is not isolated, but a reflection of a social wound that the official narrative tends to avoid.

The debate remains open between those who see an informal workplace accident and those who treat it as a crime with fatal consequences. The truth is that another preventable death once again raises the need to tackle the underground economy and the precarity that stalks the most exposed groups.