QatarEnergy confirms 13 dead in Ras Laffan explosion, vows exports unaffected

QatarEnergy has confirmed that 13 people lost their lives and 66 others were injured following an explosion and fire at the Barzan local gas supply facility in Ras Laffan Industrial City on Sunday night.

Speaking at a press conference in Doha, Qatar’s Minister of State for Energy Affairs and QatarEnergy President and CEO, Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, described the incident as a tragic accident and ruled out any possibility of sabotage or hostile activity.

Explosion Occurred During Plant Restart

According to Al-Kaabi, the explosion took place at approximately 10:30 pm on June 21 at the Barzan gas facility.

The executive revealed that the plant had been shut down since December 2025 for urgent maintenance work and had resumed operations only two days before the incident occurred.

Key Facts About the Incident

• Explosion occurred at the Barzan local gas supply facility.
• Incident took place around 10:30 pm on June 21.
• The facility had recently restarted operations after months of maintenance.
• Authorities confirmed the incident was an accident and not sabotage.

Casualties Include Multiple Nationalities

QatarEnergy confirmed that the 13 victims were Indian and Pakistani nationals. Meanwhile, the 66 injured individuals come from a variety of countries, including Qatar, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Kenya, Iran, Tanzania, Nigeria, and Nepal.

Al-Kaabi expressed his condolences to the families of those affected and noted that none of the injured are currently in life-threatening condition.

Nationalities Among the Injured

Qatari, Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Kenyan, Iranian, Tanzanian, Nigerian, Nepali

Fire Brought Under Control Quickly

The fire that followed the explosion was rapidly contained and extinguished by QatarEnergy’s Emergency Response Team in coordination with Qatar Civil Defence.
Authorities have launched a full investigation to determine the exact cause of the accident. Officials stressed that all necessary measures are being taken to ensure safety and prevent similar incidents in the future.

QatarEnergy Assures Exports Will Continue Normally

Despite the significant damage at the Barzan facility, Al-Kaabi emphasized that QatarEnergy's broader operations remain unaffected.

He reassured global customers and stakeholders that Qatar's gas production, logistics network, and export capabilities continue to function without disruption.

QatarEnergy's Assurance

• Other facilities in Ras Laffan remain operational.
• Export activities continue without interruption.
• Logistics and supply chains have not been affected.
• Investigation into the incident is underway.

Importance of the Barzan Gas Facility

Commissioned in 2022, the Barzan complex plays a vital role in supporting Qatar's domestic energy needs.

The facility is capable of supplying up to 1.4 billion standard cubic feet of gas per day to power generation stations, water desalination plants, and local industries. It also produces valuable hydrocarbon products such as ethane, condensate, and sulphur for domestic use and export markets.

Ras Laffan: A Strategic Energy Hub

Located approximately 80 kilometres northeast of Doha near the North Field, Ras Laffan Industrial City is one of Qatar's most important industrial and energy centres.
The industrial city supports around 115,000 workers and serves as a key hub for the country's natural gas production, processing, and export operations.

While the tragedy has deeply affected the energy sector and the families involved, QatarEnergy has reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, safety, and maintaining uninterrupted energy supplies as investigations continue.