Agencies | Doha:
At least 13 people, including several individuals of Indian and Pakistani origin, were killed and 66 others injured after a powerful explosion ripped through the Barzan gas processing facility in Qatar’s Ras Laffan Industrial City on Sunday night, Qatari authorities confirmed on Monday.
Addressing a press briefing in Doha, Qatar’s Energy Minister Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi described the incident as an industrial accident linked to ongoing restart operations at the facility, which had remained shut for several months.
The explosion occurred while workers were engaged in efforts to resume operations at the Barzan plant. QatarEnergy, the state-owned energy company, said preliminary findings indicate the blast was associated with the restart process.
According to Qatar’s Interior Ministry, 18 people remain missing, prompting an extensive search-and-rescue operation involving the Qatar International Search and Rescue Group of the Internal Security Force (Lekhwiya) and Civil Defence teams.
The ministry had initially reported 54 injuries but later revised the figure to 66 following updated assessments. Rescue teams continued search operations through Monday as authorities worked to account for all personnel present at the site.
The Embassy of India in Doha expressed deep concern over the incident and conveyed condolences to the families of those who lost their lives.
“We convey our deepest condolences to the families of those who have unfortunately passed away in the tragic incident at Ras Laffan Industrial City,” the embassy said in a statement.
The mission has activated emergency helpline numbers for Indian nationals and their families and said it remains in constant contact with Qatari authorities to provide assistance to those affected. The embassy can be reached at +974-55647502 and +974-55384683, while assistance is also available via email.
The Barzan facility is a key component of Qatar’s energy infrastructure, processing nearly 1.4 billion standard cubic feet of natural gas daily. The gas supplied by the plant supports electricity generation and water desalination projects across the country. American energy giant ExxonMobil holds a minority stake in the facility.
The plant had remained shut amid regional tensions and disruptions affecting Qatar’s energy sector. Earlier this year, authorities reported damage to infrastructure in the Ras Laffan area following missile strikes linked to the ongoing conflict involving Iran. The gradual easing of restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz had prompted Qatar to begin restoration and restart operations at several export facilities, including Barzan.
Qatar, one of the world’s leading producers of liquefied natural gas (LNG), shares the massive offshore North Field gas reservoir with Iran, making the stability of its energy infrastructure crucial to global energy markets.
The Indian Embassy said the Indian community in Qatar stands in solidarity with the Government and people of Qatar during the difficult period and expressed hope for the safe recovery of those still missing.
Authorities said investigations into the cause of the explosion are underway, while search and rescue efforts continue at the site.
