Explosion at Qatar’s Key LNG Facility Leaves 54 Injured, 18 Missing

At least 54 people were injured and 18 others remain missing after an explosion at Qatar’s main liquefied natural gas (LNG) processing complex in Ras Laffan on Sunday, the country’s Interior Ministry said.

The ministry said the blast occurred at a facility inside Ras Laffan Industrial City and described it as an “internal explosion.” Officials later said the incident was caused by a technical malfunction, while search efforts continued for those still unaccounted for.

QatarEnergy said an explosion and fire broke out at the Barzan local gas supply facility during the restart of operations at Ras Laffan Industrial City. Emergency response teams were deployed, and the fire was brought under control.

The full extent of the damage remains unclear. Initial reports suggested only a small number of injuries, but the casualty figure increased after authorities completed further assessments.

The incident comes at a sensitive time for global energy markets, as Qatar is one of the world’s largest LNG exporters. Any disruption at Ras Laffan could affect international gas supplies and energy prices.

Ras Laffan already facing major challenges

The explosion adds to difficulties at Ras Laffan following earlier damage linked to the US-Iran conflict. Iranian strikes on Gulf energy facilities had forced Qatar to halt LNG production after restrictions around the Strait of Hormuz disrupted shipments.

Qatar, one of the world’s top LNG producers alongside the United States, Australia and Russia, had suspended LNG production after drone attacks damaged key facilities.

Energy officials previously warned that further damage could reduce Qatar’s LNG export capacity and that repairs could take several years.

Qatar is now working to restore operations at Ras Laffan, considered the world’s largest LNG export facility. Energy markets are closely monitoring the recovery, as a faster restart could help ease pressure on global gas prices.

The country aims to restore a significant portion of production within two months after safe reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.