A technical malfunction caused the explosion at the complex, where an Iranian attack in March halted operations
Twelve Indians are among the 13 killed in a blast at a Ras Laffan gas facility on Monday, the Qatari authorities say.
Energy Minister Saad al-Kaabi said the blast at the Barzan plant in the Ras Laffan LNG complex was due to a “technical malfunction,” ruling out any “hostile” action.
Qatar suffered Iranian missile and drone attacks during the recent Middle East conflict triggered by US-Israel strikes on Iran, with the Ras Laffan facility extensively damaged in March.
The Indian Embassy in Doha said the Qatari authorities confirmed that 12 of the deceased were from India. The 66 reportedly injured are Qatari, Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Kenyan, Ghanaian, Tanzanian, Nigerian, and Nepalese nationals, Qatari officials said.
The Qatari authorities said the injured are in stable condition and are receiving medical treatment.
Qatari authorities have confirmed that 12 Indian nationals have unfortunately passed away in the Ras Laffan incident yesterday night. We extend our deepest condolences to the bereaved families and prayers for the departed souls.
The Indian Embassy said officials are in touch with the authorities to extend “all possible help to the Indian nationals and their families affected by this incident, including ensuring that the mortal remains of the deceased are sent back to India at the earliest.”
“This was an accident and not sabotage or hostile in nature… plant production was… completely stopped since December 2025 due to urgent maintenance… it was first restarted again only two days ago,” al-Kaabi was quoted as saying by Al Jazeera.
The Ras Laffan Industrial City around 80 km north of Doha houses the world’s largest LNG export complex and produces around a fifth of global supply.
Qatar Energy did not provide details on the extent of the damage in the blast. Al-Kaabi, who is also the CEO of the state-owned company, said the blast “will not affect in any way our exports to the world.”
Qatar is India’s largest LNG supplier, accounting for nearly half of the country’s imports. Qatar owns nearly all of the plant, with ExxonMobil holding a small share.
The explosion occurred as workers were restarting operations at the complex. There was no gas leakage, Qatar’s Interior Ministry said, adding that the incident does not pose any danger to public safety.
