Blast at Qatar gas plant kills 13, injures 66; minister rules out sabotage

A powerful blast at Qatar's Ras Laffan gas hub on Sunday killed 13 people and injured 66, according to the state's energy minister. Saad al-Kaabi confirmed the incident was an "accident and not sabotage or hostile in nature," despite recent Iranian attacks on energy facilities in the Gulf.

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an accident and not sabotage or hostile in nature

Authorities are investigating the cause of the explosion, which occurred late Sunday in the Ras Laffan industrial zone. QatarEnergy described it as an "internal explosion" and a "technical malfunction" during the start-up of operations at the Barzan local gas supply facility. The resulting fire was brought under control by emergency response teams.

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the tragic loss of 13 lives of our people who hold Indian and Pakistani nationalities. 66 people have been reported injured and are receiving medical treatment, none of whom are in life-threatening condition

Minister Kaabi, who also heads QatarEnergy, assured that the blast would not impact gas exports or local requirements, and noted there was "no environmental impact." He drew a distinction between this accident and the ongoing "geopolitical, military issue" of attacks on Gulf nations and the Strait of Hormuz.

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It will not affect anything regarding export. It will not affect anything regarding our local requirements

The incident is one of the deadliest accidents at a Gulf energy facility. Ras Laffan, home to the world's largest liquefied natural gas hub, had previously sustained damage from Iranian strikes during the Middle East war. The accident occurs as Gulf nations face challenges in boosting output amid regional instability.

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no environmental impact