Explosion in Qatar Causes Fatalities and Injuries

Jun 22(Jowhar)- At least 13 people have died and 66 others have been injured following an explosion at the largest gas facility in Qatar.

The main natural gas (LNG) processing site in the city experienced a technical failure in the industrial area of Ras Laffan on Sunday night, the Ministry of Interior reported.

Qatar's Minister of Energy Saad Sherida al-Kaabi stated that the explosion would not affect the country's exports, adding that this is an isolated incident and not a national disaster or a result of hostility.

Ras Laffan Port is the world's largest artificial port and has the largest LNG export facilities in the world. It was previously targeted by airstrikes carried out by Iran earlier this year.

The explosion was felt throughout central Doha, causing panic among residents who are more than 70km (43 miles) away from Ras Laffan.

Al-Kaabi added that the government is working to determine the cause of the explosion at the local gas facility in Barzan, noting that there is no environmental threat.

However, the energy minister stated that it would be difficult to determine when operations would resume.

An investigation has begun to ascertain the cause of the incident, and Al-Kaabi confirmed that all the deceased in the explosion were from India and Pakistan.

The Indian Embassy in Doha stated that it is in regular contact with Qatari authorities and will provide all necessary assistance to the families of those who were killed or injured. The explosion occurred as workers were resuming operations that had initially been halted in March.