DOHA: An explosion at Ras Laffan LNG Complex has killed 13 people and injured dozens more, Qatar’s Energy Ministry said, with victims including Pakistani and Indian nationals.
Officials said the blast occurred while facilities that had been shut down after a March Iranian attack were being brought back into operation.
In a statement, Qatar’s Energy Ministry confirmed 13 deaths and 66 injuries, adding that the incident did not affect export capacity and posed no environmental risk.
Qatar’s Energy Minister Saad Sherida Al Kaabi said the tragedy involved foreign workers and confirmed that the deceased included citizens of Pakistan and India.
“I am announcing something I had hoped would never happen,” Al Kaabi told reporters, expressing condolences for the victims.
State-owned QatarEnergy said the exact location and cause of the blast remain under investigation, adding that emergency teams have begun a detailed inquiry into the incident.
Authorities said the explosion was powerful enough to be felt in central Doha, with residents up to 70 kilometres away reporting shaking windows.
Officials have launched an investigation into the cause of the blast.
More read, Qatar LNG shipment reaches Strait of Hormuz for Pakistan
Earlier, A third liquefied natural gas vessel from Qatar has entered the Strait of Hormuz after receiving special permission from Iran, according to shipping and port sources.
Sources said the LNG carrier is moving past Iran’s Hengam Island area in the strait and is carrying gas loaded from Qatar’s Ras Laffan terminal. According to Port Qasim officials, the shipment is heading towards the Engro LNG terminal in Pakistan. They also confirmed that another LNG vessel, Al-Kharsaah, has already reached Karachi.
