Qatar says gas export terminal blast killed 13 as workers tried to resume operations

Blast at Barzan

Qatar said a blast at its Barzan gas facility in the Ras Laffan industrial area killed 13 people and injured 66 others while workers were trying to restart operations.

The incident happened at a key part of Qatar’s gas system, a facility closely watched because of the country’s role as a major natural gas exporter.

QatarEnergy said the resulting fire was brought under control. Officials said the blast did not pose a threat to public safety and did not affect Qatar’s ability to export gas.

Officials reject sabotage

Qatar’s Energy Minister Saad Sherida al-Kaabi said the explosion was accidental and not sabotage.

That assessment matters because the blast struck during a period when the facility was being restarted, adding to scrutiny over the condition of the site and the extent of any damage.

Officials said the full extent of the damage had not yet been determined.

During restart work

Reporting on the incident said the explosion happened as workers were attempting to resume operations at the facility.

The restart effort came after earlier conflict-related disruptions in the region, according to the reporting.

Later coverage on Monday said the death toll had risen to 13, with 66 people injured.

Workers affected

Reporting said most of the dead were from India and Pakistan. Injured workers were also reported to include people from Qatar and several African and Asian countries.

Authorities have not identified the exact cause of the blast.

What happens next

QatarEnergy and other authorities are continuing to assess damage and monitor recovery work.

Key unanswered questions include when operations can safely resume and whether any of the injured remain in critical condition.

Ras Laffan is a major gas and LNG hub for Qatar, so even when officials say exports are unaffected, any disruption there is closely watched for possible market and operational fallout.