Tragedy at Qatar’s Ras Laffan Gas Hub.

Indians among 13 Dead, dozens injured in Barzan facility blast.

A devastating explosion at Qatar’s Barzan gas supply facility in Ras Laffan Industrial City has claimed 13 lives and left 66 others injured, with several victims identified as Indian and Pakistani nationals. The incident, which occurred on Sunday evening, shook the country’s main liquefied natural gas (LNG) hub and was powerful enough to rattle windows across central Doha, nearly 70 kilometers away.

Qatar’s Energy Minister and QatarEnergy chief executive Saad al-Kaabi confirmed the casualties, describing the event as a “technical accident.” He expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and assured them that none of the injured are in critical condition. Al-Kaabi emphasized that LNG export operations remain unaffected and that there is no environmental threat resulting from the blast.

The Indian Embassy in Doha also issued a statement expressing sympathy and noting that it is working closely with Qatari authorities to assist. While the mission did not specify the exact number of Indian nationals affected, it acknowledged the tragedy and pledged support to the victims’ families.

The Barzan facility, a vital part of Qatar’s energy infrastructure, supplies gas to local industries and power stations while producing liquefied petroleum gas and other products for export. It forms a cornerstone of Ras Laffan Industrial City, which boasts an annual LNG production capacity of 77 million metric tons.

This accident comes at a particularly sensitive time for Qatar’s energy sector. Earlier this year, Iranian missile strikes during the regional conflict damaged key gas-processing units at Ras Laffan, cutting nearly 17 percent of the nation’s LNG export capacity. Repairs to the war-damaged infrastructure are expected to take several years, underscoring the challenges of restoring full operations.

For Qatar, which hosts a major U.S. military base and plays a critical role in global energy supply, the incident highlights the fragility of infrastructure in the aftermath of conflict. While exports remain steady, the human toll of the accident is a stark reminder of the risks faced by workers in one of the world’s most strategically important energy hubs.