A major industrial explosion at Qatar’s strategic Ras Laffan Industrial City has left at least 54 people injured and 18 others missing, raising fresh concerns over safety and recovery efforts at one of the world’s most important natural gas hubs.
Qatar’s Ministry of Interior confirmed on Monday that the blast occurred at a factory within the Ras Laffan industrial zone and was caused by a technical malfunction. Emergency teams were immediately deployed to the scene as rescue operations continued for the missing workers.
The incident occurred on Sunday evening during efforts to restart operations at the Barzan gas supply facility, according to state-owned QatarEnergy. The company said the explosion triggered a fire that was later brought under control.
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Officials said there was no threat to public safety and no reports of hazardous gas leaks despite the scale of the incident.
Witnesses reported hearing a loud explosion across parts of Qatar, including the capital city, Doha. Flames and thick smoke were seen rising from the industrial area, which houses some of the world’s largest liquefied natural gas processing facilities.
The Barzan facility plays a crucial role in Qatar’s domestic energy network. The plant supplies natural gas to industries, power generation stations and water desalination facilities, while also producing export products including condensates and liquefied petroleum gas.
The latest explosion comes months after Ras Laffan suffered damage during regional hostilities involving Iran. Earlier attacks disrupted operations at key energy facilities and forced temporary production shutdowns.
Energy analysts say the new incident could complicate ongoing efforts to restore full output and export capacity. Qatar remains one of the world’s largest LNG exporters, making developments at Ras Laffan closely watched by global energy markets.
Authorities have not yet released details about the identities of those injured or missing. Investigations are ongoing as emergency responders continue rescue and recovery operations at the site.
