A devastating explosion at the Ras Laffan Industrial City in Qatar has claimed the lives of 13 people, 12 of whom were Indian nationals. The tragedy occurred on Sunday as operations at the Barzan gas facility were being resumed following a period of maintenance. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has expressed his profound grief over the incident, confirming that the Indian Embassy in Doha is working closely with Qatari officials to provide necessary support to the grieving families and to facilitate the repatriation of the deceased.

QatarEnergy has clarified that the blast was an operational accident rather than an act of sabotage, likely caused by a technical malfunction during the restart process. While 66 individuals sustained injuries, officials report that none are in life-threatening condition and all are receiving medical care. Authorities have also reassured the public that the site remains secure and there is no risk of hazardous leaks. Investigations into the precise cause of the malfunction are currently underway, as the government works to ensure the safety of the facility’s infrastructure moving forward.