Renewables

Arrests made after man electrocuted during wind turbine break-in

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Two men have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter, following the death of a 23-year-old last year who was electrocuted after breaking into a wind turbine in Spain.

The three men were on a camping trip in June 2025 when the two older men, aged 25 and 31, dared the youngest to break into the turbine in Spain’s Burgos region, Europe Press is reporting.

Guardia Civil, the Spanish police, allege the youngest man crawled through a ventilation shaft under the main entrance around 10.30 pm on June 13, as part of a challenge to take a photo from inside the turbine.

The two surviving men originally told emergency services the man was trapped and the door jammed, but later investigations found disturbing evidence that contradicted those claims.

The police allege the group tried to force open the main door but failed, thanks to the turbine’s security systems. 

The 23-year-old then climbed in the ventilator shaft, about 3 metres off the ground, and this was then bolted shut behind him.

Data from the man’s phone suggests he died not long afterwards. 

The two men are also charged with property damage.

Rachel Williamson is a science and business journalist, who focuses on climate change-related health and environmental issues.

Rachel Williamson

Rachel Williamson is a science and business journalist, who focuses on climate change-related health and environmental issues.

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