Qatar gas facility rocked by explosion; many missing after 13 die

A massive explosion at Qatar's key Ras Laffan gas plant has claimed the lives of at least 13 people and left 66 others injured. According to officials, several Indian nationals are believed to be among the victims. The blast occurred on Sunday night while operations were being resumed at the facility, which had remained shut for several months. Rescue teams are continuing search efforts, as 18 people are still reported missing. Indian Embassy issues emergency helpline Following the incident, the Indian Embassy in Doha expressed concern and activated emergency helpline numbers to assist Indian citizens and their families. While the exact number of Indian casualties has not yet been confirmed, the embassy said it is closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with local authorities. Qatar Energy Minister confirms incident Qatar's Energy Minister Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi officially confirmed the accident on Monday. Emergency teams rushed to the site and have been searching for people trapped under debris, while the injured are receiving treatment at different hospitals across the country. Explosion occurred during restart operations State-owned company QatarEnergy said the explosion took place during the restart process of the Ras Laffan facility. Preliminary findings suggest it may have been an industrial accident, although authorities have launched a detailed investigation to determine the exact cause. Plant had remained closed after regional tensions The Ras Laffan gas plant had been shut down after Iranian missile attacks earlier this year and heightened tensions around the Strait of Hormuz. With conditions improving recently, preparations were underway to restart production. Following the blast, security measures have been strengthened across the region as rescue operations continue.