Qatar gas facility blast kills 13, including Indians, injures 66

A blast and fire at Qatar's Barzan gas facility killed 13 people and injured 66 during start-up operations. The accident has sparked a technical probe as Indian officials assist affected families.

In Short

• The accident occurred during start-up operations on Sunday evening at Barzan
• Authorities said a technical malfunction triggered the explosion and subsequent fire
• The injured included workers from India, Pakistan, Nepal and African nations

At least 13 people, including Indians, were killed and 66 others were injured in an explosion and fire at a gas facility in Qatar's Ras Laffan Industrial City, the Gulf country's Energy Minister Saad bin Shreida Al-Kaabi said on Monday. Al-Kaabi, who is also the CEO of QatarEnergy, said the incident took place on Sunday evening at the Barzan local gas supply facility during the start-up of operations.

During a press briefing, Al-Kaabi confirmed that 13 people of Indian and Pakistani origin had died in the incident, though he did not give the exact number of Indian victims. Local media reported that those injured were from several countries, including India, Qatar, Tanzania, Pakistan, Guinea, Nepal, Bangladesh, Kenya and Nigeria.

The Indian Embassy in Doha said it was in constant touch with the Qatari authorities and would provide all help to the families of those killed or injured. “We convey our deepest condolences to the families of those who have unfortunately passed away in the sad incident at Ras Laffan Industrial City last night,” it said in a post on X. The embassy also issued helpline numbers, +974-55647502 and +975-55384683, and shared the email address cons.doha@mea.gov.in. Earlier, it had expressed “deep concern at the unfortunate incident”, in which several people were injured and some were missing. “At this challenging and difficult time, the Embassy of India and the entire Indian community in Qatar stands in solidarity with the Government and people of Qatar. We wish for the speedy recovery of those injured and hope and pray for the safety of those missing,” it said.

In a separate statement, Qatar's Ministry of Interior said the incident was caused by a “technical malfunction” during operations, resulting in the deaths of 13 people and injuries to 66 others of various nationalities. It said security authorities responded immediately in coordination with emergency teams in Ras Laffan and implemented approved emergency procedures at the site. The injured were taken to medical facilities for treatment, while search and response operations at the scene were completed. The ministry said investigations were continuing to determine the exact technical causes of the accident and establish all the circumstances surrounding it. It also said no leaks were detected after the accident and there was no threat to public safety or the surrounding environment.

QatarEnergy had earlier said the explosion and fire took place during the start-up of operations at the Barzan local gas supply facility on Sunday evening. The blast left 13 people dead and 66 injured, prompting emergency action, a government investigation and assistance measures for affected families, including those of Indian nationals.

With PTI Inputs

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