The Qatari Ministry of Interior reported on 22/6 that an explosion at a plant in the Ras Laffan industrial area, the world's largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) export hub, resulted in 54 injuries and left 18 people missing. The incident occurred on the night of 21/6, approximately 80 km north of the capital, Doha.
Lekhwiya search and rescue forces, supported by the Civil Defense Agency, are actively searching for the unaccounted individuals. QatarEnergy, the state-owned energy corporation overseeing the Ras Laffan industrial area, confirmed the explosion and subsequent fire originated at the Barzan plant.
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LNG production facility in the Ras Laffan industrial center, Qatar, on 2/3. Photo: Reuters
Qatari officials initially attributed the incident to a "technical accident". Authorities reported no gas or chemical leaks that would endanger surrounding communities. Residents across several Doha areas reported experiencing unusual tremors on the night of 21/6, likening them to a minor earthquake.
The Barzan plant supplies gas to Qatar's domestic market, with a daily capacity exceeding 39 million m3. This output primarily supports electricity generation and the operation of desalination plants. Ras Laffan stands as Qatar's premier energy industrial hub, hosting the world's largest LNG export facility, which accounts for approximately 1/5 of the global LNG supply.
Explosion at a gas plant in the Ras Laffan industrial center on the night of 21/6. Video: X/ClashReport
This incident occurs as Qatar works to restore operations at its energy facilities, which have sustained damage from recent regional conflicts. In march, Qatari officials reported that the Ras Laffan industrial area incurred "significant damage" from missile and drone attacks originating in Iran. Following these attacks, QatarEnergy invoked a force majeure clause, leading to the temporary suspension of certain contracts with clients in Italy, Belgium, South Korea, and China.
Qatar shares one of the world's largest offshore natural gas fields with Iran in the Persian Gulf. This vast resource has established the Gulf nation as a leading global LNG exporter.
Thanh Danh (AP, Mehr, Al Jazeera)
