DOHA (Web Desk) – At least 54 people were injured and 18 others remain missing after a major explosion rocked Qatar’s Ras Laffan liquefied natural gas (LNG) complex on Sunday evening, according to Qatari authorities.
The incident occurred at the Barzan gas-processing facility while workers were reportedly restarting operations that had previously been disrupted by regional security concerns. Officials described the explosion as a “technical accident” and stressed that there was no threat to public safety beyond the industrial site.
Emergency response teams were immediately dispatched to the facility in Ras Laffan Industrial City, where firefighters succeeded in bringing the blaze under control after several hours. Search and rescue operations continued through the night to locate missing workers.
Residents in Doha, more than 70 kilometers away, reported feeling the impact of the blast, which rattled windows and caused widespread concern across the capital.
Qatar’s Interior Ministry confirmed the casualty figures and said medical teams were treating the injured at nearby hospitals. The identities and nationalities of the affected workers were not immediately disclosed.
QatarEnergy has not yet released details regarding the extent of damage to the facility. The Barzan plant plays a critical role in supplying natural gas to domestic industries and power-generation facilities, while also producing export-oriented byproducts including ethane, condensate, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), and sulphur.
The explosion comes as Qatar’s energy sector continues recovering from disruptions linked to regional conflict and previous attacks on energy infrastructure. Ras Laffan Industrial City serves as the country’s primary LNG production and export hub, with a capacity of approximately 77 million metric tonnes annually.
Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the explosion, while energy analysts closely monitor any potential impact on Qatar’s gas production and export operations. Further updates are expected as rescue efforts and damage assessments continue.
