DOHA, Jun 22 (Alliance News): An explosion at Qatar’s major liquefied natural gas (LNG) processing hub in Ras Laffan Industrial City has left 54 people injured, while 18 others remain missing, Qatari authorities said on Monday.
According to QatarEnergy, the incident occurred during the start-up of operations at the Barzan local gas supply facility in Ras Laffan on Sunday evening, resulting in an explosion and fire.
Emergency response teams were immediately deployed to control the blaze, which authorities said had been brought under control.
Qatar’s Interior Ministry described the incident as a technical accident, saying it was an internal explosion caused by a technical malfunction.
The ministry confirmed that there was no gas leak or danger to public safety following the incident.
The Qatari International Search and Rescue Group, along with civil defence teams, launched search operations to locate the 18 missing individuals.
“A total of 54 people were injured in the incident that occurred at a factory in Ras Laffan Industrial City,” the Interior Ministry said in a statement, adding that efforts were continuing to trace the missing persons.
QatarEnergy has not provided details about the extent of damage to the facility or whether the incident affected gas supplies. The Barzan facility plays an important role in supplying gas to Qatar’s domestic market.
A Reuters witness reported hearing a powerful explosion in Doha, located south of the Ras Laffan industrial area, following the incident.
Ras Laffan is one of the world’s largest LNG production centres and is a key part of Qatar’s energy sector.
The facility had already suffered damage earlier due to regional tensions, including attacks linked to the US-Iran conflict that affected Gulf energy infrastructure.
Qatar, one of the world’s leading LNG exporters alongside the United States, Australia, and Russia, had previously suspended LNG production after Iranian drone strikes targeted key energy facilities.
Qatar’s Energy Minister Saad Al-Kaabi had earlier warned that additional damage from attacks could reduce LNG export capacity significantly and require several years for full repairs.
Authorities said investigations into Sunday’s explosion were underway, while emergency teams remained engaged in search and recovery operations.
