Thirteen Killed, 66 Injured Following Explosion At Qatar’s LNG Facility

At least 13 people were killed and 66 others injured after an explosion at Qatar’s main liquefied natural gas (LNG) processing facility in Ras Laffan Industrial City, Energy Affairs Minister H.E. Saad bin Sherida Al-Kaabi confirmed on Monday.

The deceased were Indian and Pakistani nationals, while those injured include citizens of Qatar, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Kenya, Ghana, Tanzania, Nigeria, and Nepal.

The injured are currently receiving medical treatment, the minister said.

The facility was engulfed by fire on Sunday evening, June 21, 2026, triggering an explosion.

Speaking on Monday, Minister Al-Kaabi said the blast at the Ras Laffan LNG complex was caused by a “technical malfunction” and ruled out any “hostile” action.

He added that Qatar’s LNG exports would not be affected.

Like its Gulf neighbours, Qatar has experienced Iranian missile and drone attacks during the United States and Israel’s war with Iran.

The explosion occurred as workers were restarting operations at the giant gas complex after an Iranian attack in March had forced a suspension of activities.

“This was an accident and not sabotage or hostile in nature. Plant production had been intentionally and completely halted since December 2025 due to urgent maintenance requirements. Operations resumed only two days ago,” Al-Kaabi said.

He stated that the fatalities were all Indian and Pakistani nationals. Officials have not provided details on the conditions of the injured.

The Ministry of Interior said there was no gas leakage that would pose a threat to public safety.

The plant’s operator, QatarEnergy, did not disclose the exact location of the explosion or the extent of the damage. Al-Kaabi, who is also Chief Executive Officer of the state-owned company, said an investigation had been launched.

“This will not affect our exports to the world in any way,” he insisted.

QatarEnergy said emergency response teams were immediately deployed after the explosion at the Barzan gas facility and successfully brought the fire under control.

Ras Laffan Industrial City, located about 80 kilometres (50 miles) north of Doha, is home to the world’s largest LNG export complex, producing approximately one-fifth of the global LNG supply.