Qatar gas plant explosion kills 13, injures 66 in Ras Laffan

September 14, 2026 at 03:45 AM2 min

This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.

An explosion at Qatar's Barzan gas facility in the Ras Laffan industrial complex killed 13 people and injured 66 on the evening of June 21. Qatari authorities said the blast occurred as workers prepared to restart operations, and Energy Minister Saad al-Kaabi called it an industrial accident caused by a technical fault. Rescue services brought the resulting fire under control, while Ras Laffan port and other logistics operations continued normally.

Key Facts

The explosion at the Barzan gas facility in Ras Laffan killed 13 people and injured 66 on June 21.
Qatar's Energy Minister Saad al-Kaabi stated the blast was an industrial accident caused by a technical fault, not sabotage or a deliberate attack.
The dead included citizens of India and Pakistan, and none of the 66 injured were in life-threatening condition.
The explosion did not directly affect Qatar's main LNG export facilities, and Ras Laffan port continued normal operations.

The Explosion

The blast occurred on the evening of June 21 at the Barzan gas supply facility in the Ras Laffan industrial complex. Workers were preparing to restart operations at the facility when the explosion took place, followed by a fire. Rescue services arrived at the scene immediately and brought the flames under control. Qatari authorities announced the casualty figures of 13 dead and 66 injured.

Official Response

Energy Minister Saad al-Kaabi described the incident as an industrial accident resulting from a technical fault. He said the explosion was not caused by sabotage or a deliberate attack. A full investigation has been launched to determine the exact cause of the accident. All 66 injured people are receiving medical assistance, and none are in life-threatening condition.

Impact on Operations

The explosion did not directly affect Qatar's main liquefied natural gas export facilities. Ras Laffan port and other logistics operations remained in normal mode. Specialists are assessing the damage at the facility and investigating all circumstances of the accident. Ras Laffan is one of the key facilities in Qatar's energy infrastructure, drawing attention from international energy markets.