By: The Trek News Desk
A powerful explosion struck Qatar’s Ras Laffan industrial zone late Sunday night, injuring at least 54 people and leaving 18 others unaccounted for, according to official statements. The incident occurred during efforts to restart operations at the Barzan gas facility.
Ras Laffan is Qatar’s primary hub for natural gas exports and plays a critical role in the country’s energy infrastructure and global LNG supply chain. The area had previously faced disruptions and temporary shutdowns following regional conflict-related attacks in recent weeks.
Authorities confirmed that the blast took place while technical teams were attempting to bring offline systems at the Barzan plant back into operation. Initial reports suggested only a small number of injuries, but the casualty figures rose significantly as emergency teams assessed the situation.
Witnesses described scenes of chaos following the explosion, with emergency responders rushing to evacuate injured workers and secure the affected zone.
Qatar’s Ministry of Interior stated that emergency services were immediately deployed to the site. Injured workers have been transported to nearby medical facilities, where they are receiving treatment.
Search operations are ongoing to locate the 18 missing individuals, while the industrial area has been placed under strict security control. Authorities have also launched an investigation to determine the cause of the explosion.
Ras Laffan is widely regarded as the backbone of Qatar’s liquefied natural gas exports and a strategic node in the global energy supply network. Any disruption in the facility has the potential to impact international energy markets.
Officials say a detailed inquiry is underway, with investigators examining both technical and operational factors that may have contributed to the blast. The incident has raised fresh concerns over safety protocols at critical energy infrastructure sites.
Source: News Agencies
