At least 54 people suffered injuries after an explosion struck Qatar’s Ras Laffan Industrial City on Sunday. Additionally, authorities continued searching for 18 missing people following the incident.
The blast occurred during start-up operations at the Barzan local gas supply facility. Emergency teams quickly responded to the explosion and brought the resulting fire under control.
Meanwhile, QatarEnergy confirmed the incident in an official statement. The company said the explosion happened during operational start-up procedures. However, it did not disclose whether the facility suffered significant structural damage.
Search Operations Continue After Technical Accident
Qatar’s Interior Ministry described the explosion as a technical accident. Officials later clarified that a technical malfunction caused the internal explosion. Moreover, authorities confirmed that no gas leak threatened public safety after the blast.
The ministry stated that the Qatari International Search and Rescue Group joined civil defence teams. Together, they continued searching for the 18 missing individuals.
Officials also confirmed that 54 people sustained injuries during the incident. However, they did not immediately release further details about the victims.
Previous Conflict Had Already Damaged Energy Infrastructure
A loud explosion was heard in Doha, according to a Reuters witness. The capital lies south of the Ras Laffan energy complex. Furthermore, the facility had already suffered heavy damage during the recent US-Iran conflict.
Iranian strikes previously forced Qatar to halt liquefied natural gas production after key facilities were hit. Earlier estimates suggested the attacks would reduce LNG export capacity by 17 percent. Energy Minister Saad Al-Kaabi also warned that repairs could require between three and five years.
