Indians among 13 dead in Qatar gas facility explosion, says minister

A massive explosion is seen at Qatar`s Ras Laffan Industrial City, home to one of the world`s largest liquefied natural gas hubs, on Monday. PIC/AFP

At least 13 people, including Indians, were killed and 66 others injured in an explosion and fire at a gas facility in Qatar's Ras Laffan Industrial City, the country's Energy Minister Saad bin Shreida Al-Kaabi said on Monday.

The explosion occurred at the Barzan local gas supply facility on Sunday evening during the start-up of operations, according to QatarEnergy.

Addressing a press conference on Monday, Al-Kaabi, who is also the chief executive officer (CEO) of QatarEnergy, said 13 people of Indian and Pakistani origin had lost their lives in the incident.

However, the exact number of Indian victims was not immediately known, reported news agency PTI.

The injured include nationals from several countries, including India, Qatar, Tanzania, Pakistan, Guinea, Nepal, Bangladesh, Kenya, and Nigeria, according to local media reports.

The Embassy of India in Doha said it was in constant touch with the Qatari authorities and would extend all possible assistance to the families of those killed or injured in the incident.

Indian Embassy issues helpline numbers, offers assistance to affected families

"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," the Embassy said in a post on X.

The Embassy also issued helpline numbers - +974 55647502 and +974 55384683 - and an email address, cons.doha@mea.gov.in, for assistance.

Earlier, the Indian mission had expressed "deep concern" over the incident, stating that several people had been injured while some were reported 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.

QatarEnergy said emergency response teams were immediately deployed to contain the blaze, which has since been brought under control.

Al-Kaabi described the explosion as an accident and ruled out any possibility of sabotage, news agency AFP reported.

Qatar rules out sabotage, says explosion was an accident

"This was an accident and not sabotage or hostile in nature," he said, adding that the incident would not affect Qatar's gas exports.

"This will not affect in any way our exports to the world," the minister said.

(With PTI and AFP inputs)