Doha: An explosion at a major natural gas facility in Qatar has killed at least 13 people and injured 66 others, with officials saying the incident was caused by an accident and not sabotage. Qatar's Minister of State for Energy Affairs, Saad al-Kaabi, stated at a press conference that the explosion and fire broke out late Sunday at the Barzan gas facility located in the Ras Laffan industrial area. This area is a significant hub for liquefied natural gas (LNG) production and exports, situated approximately 80 kilometers north of Doha. Al-Kaabi confirmed that the incident was accidental and emphasized that no sabotage or hostile actions were involved. He further noted that the facility had been closed for maintenance since December 2025 and had only resumed operations two days before the incident.
According to Ghana News Agency, rescue and civil defense teams managed to control the fire by dawn. Al-Kaabi mentioned that an investigation is underway to determine the cause of the fire. He reassured reporters that LNG production and exports at other facilities and ports have not been impacted by this incident.