More than 50 people were injured and 18 others remain missing after an explosion at a liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility in Qatar Ras Laffan Industrial City, according to officials.
QatarEnergy said the incident occurred during start-up operations at the Barzan gas supply facility on Sunday evening, resulting in an explosion and fire at the country’s key LNG processing site. Emergency response teams were immediately deployed to contain the blaze, which authorities later confirmed was brought under control.
The Ministry of Interior stated that a total of 54 people were injured in the incident, while search operations are ongoing for 18 missing individuals. Officials attributed the explosion to a technical accident and stressed that there was no gas leak that posed a risk to public safety.
According to authorities, the Qatari International Search and Rescue Group, working alongside civil defence teams, is continuing efforts to locate those still unaccounted for. The ministry described the blast as an internal explosion caused by a technical malfunction during operational procedures.
Officials also confirmed that injured individuals were transported for medical treatment, although details regarding the severity of their conditions have not yet been released. Investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the incident and assess potential damage to infrastructure.
QatarEnergy has not yet provided a detailed assessment of structural damage to the facility, which plays a key role in supplying gas to both domestic and international markets. The company said further updates will be shared once technical evaluations are completed.
Ras Laffan is one of the world’s most important LNG hubs, and any disruption to its operations is closely monitored by global energy markets. Qatar is among the largest LNG exporters globally, alongside countries such as the United States, Australia and Russia.
Authorities have assured the public that safety protocols are in place and that there is no immediate threat beyond the affected site. Investigations and recovery operations are continuing as officials work to determine the full scale of the incident.