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World22 June 2026 - 18:29

At least 13 killed and dozens injured after Qatar gas explosion

The city's main liquified natural gas (LNG) processing site suffered a "technical accident"

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by BBC NEWS
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AFPTV video footage frame of an explosion at Qatar's Ras Laffan industrial zone./SCREENGRAB


At least 13 people have been killed and 66 injured after an explosion at Qatar's largest gas facility.

The city's main liquified natural gas (LNG) processing site suffered a "technical accident" in Ras Laffan industrial zone on Sunday night, the interior ministry said, with the city's skyline turning orange because of the explosion.

Qatar's Energy Minister Saad Sherida al-Kaabi, said the explosion would not affect the country's exports, adding "this was an accident and not sabotage or hostile in nature".

The Ras Laffan Port is the largest artificial harbour in the world and has the world's largest LNG export facility. It was targeted by Iranian strikes earlier this year.

The blast on Sunday rattled windows and was felt across central Doha, panicking residents more than 70km (43 miles) from Ras Laffan.

Sherida al-Kaabi added the government was working on determining the cause of the blast which occurred at the Barzan local gas supply facility, he added there was no environmental risks.

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

"Plant production was intentionally completely stopped since December 2025 due to urgent maintenance requirements, it was first restarted again only two days ago," Sherida al-Kaabi said.

At least 13 people have been killed and 66 injured after an explosion at Qatar's largest gas facility.

The city's main liquified natural gas (LNG) processing site suffered a "technical accident" in Ras Laffan industrial zone on Sunday night, the interior ministry said, with the city's skyline turning orange because of the explosion.

Qatar's Energy Minister Saad Sherida al-Kaabi said the explosion would not affect the country's exports, adding "this was an accident and not sabotage or hostile in nature".

The Ras Laffan Port is the largest artificial harbour in the world and has the world's largest LNG export facility. It was targeted by Iranian strikes earlier this year.

The blast on Sunday rattled windows and was felt across central Doha, panicking residents more than 70km (43 miles) from Ras Laffan.

Sherida al-Kaabi added the government was working on determining the cause of the blast which occurred at the Barzan local gas supply facility, he added there was no environmental risks.

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

"Plant production was intentionally completely stopped since December 2025 due to urgent maintenance requirements, it was first restarted again only two days ago," Sherida al-Kaabi said.

Qatar had halted production in response to the conflict, pausing a fifth of the world's LNG. Shipments had begun to resume recently.





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