12 Indians Dead in Qatar Ras Laffan Gas Facility Explosion

A massive explosion ripped through a gas facility inside Qatar's Ras Laffan Industrial City on Sunday evening. The blast killed 13 people, including 12 Indian nationals, and injured 66 others across multiple nationalities.

The incident occurred at the Barzan local gas supply facility. QatarEnergy operates this key plant within the world's largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) export hub, located about 80 kilometres north of Doha.

What Happened at the Barzan Facility

The explosion broke out during the start-up of operations at the Barzan plant. QatarEnergy confirmed this in a public statement on Monday. Emergency response teams and Qatar's Civil Defence rushed to the scene. They fully extinguished the fire.

Qatar's Ministry of Interior confirmed that a technical malfunction caused the blast. Authorities stated there was no gas leak detected from the site. No threat to public safety or the surrounding environment exists at this time.

The Barzan gas facility had stayed completely shut since December 2025 due to urgent maintenance work. Workers restarted operations just two days before the explosion struck.

Who Are the Victims

QatarEnergy confirmed the 13 fatalities were Indian and Pakistani nationals. The 66 injured workers came from nine countries including Qatar, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Kenya, Ghana, Tanzania, Nigeria and Nepal. None of the injured face life-threatening conditions.

The Indian Embassy in Doha confirmed 12 Indian deaths on Monday. The Embassy posted on X saying: the mortal remains of the deceased will be sent to India at the earliest. Officials also published emergency contact numbers at +974-55647502 and +974-55384683. The email [email protected] is active for family support.

India's Official Response

The Embassy of India expressed "deep concern" over the tragic incident. In a statement shared on X, the mission said the Indian community stands in full solidarity with the Qatari people.

The Embassy confirmed it is working in close contact with Qatari authorities. Assistance to families of victims and the injured is the immediate priority. All injured Indian workers are receiving appropriate medical treatment and are in stable condition.

Qatar's Energy Minister Saad bin Shreida Al-Kaabi, who also serves as CEO of QatarEnergy, addressed the press. He confirmed both Indian and Pakistani nationals died in the explosion.

Impact on Qatar's LNG Operations

QatarEnergy moved quickly to reassure global energy markets. The company confirmed that its LNG facilities, Ras Laffan Port, and all export operations remain completely unaffected. Qatar supplies roughly one-fifth of the world's LNG. The Barzan blast does not disrupt that output.

Authorities are currently assessing the damage to the Barzan facility and nearby infrastructure. A full investigation to determine the exact technical cause has started. Qatar's Ministry of Interior said security teams completed all search and response operations at the site.

Background on Ras Laffan Industrial City

Ras Laffan Industrial City is Qatar's industrial powerhouse and home to some of the world's largest energy production facilities. It sits at the heart of Qatar's natural gas economy, which supports the country's broader wealth and global energy influence.

The Barzan facility specifically supplies domestic gas for power generation inside Qatar. The plant came back online just 48 hours before the explosion, fresh off a maintenance shutdown that lasted six months.

Earlier in March 2026, Ras Laffan sustained significant damage following Iranian missile and drone attacks. That incident led QatarEnergy to invoke force majeure clauses in contracts with buyers in Italy, Belgium, South Korea and China.

Ongoing Investigation

Authorities are continuing investigations under applicable legal and technical frameworks. Qatar's Ministry of Interior said all necessary legal measures will follow once investigators determine the precise cause.

The Indian government and embassy officials remain on standby to assist affected families with documentation, repatriation of remains, and other urgent needs during this time.