International

IIE DIGITAL DESK ; Doha | June 22: The explosion shook one of Qatar’s largest gas production facilities, triggering panic and a major emergency response operation. The blast occurred on Sunday night local time in Ras Laffan, the country’s key industrial city, leaving at least 54 people injured. Authorities have also reported that 18 individuals remain missing following the incident.

QatarEnergy, the explosion took place at a gas supply facility located in the Barzan area of Ras Laffan on Sunday night. The powerful blast was followed by a fire that quickly spread across parts of the facility, prompting authorities to deploy rescue and emergency teams to the site to control the situation and search for the missing workers.

The incident has raised concerns due to the strategic importance of Ras Laffan, which is considered one of the world’s largest centres for the production and export of liquefied natural gas (LNG). The industrial complex plays a crucial role in Qatar’s energy sector and contributes significantly to global LNG supplies.

Rescue operations and safety assessments continued after the explosion as emergency personnel worked to extinguish the fire and determine the extent of the damage. Officials are expected to conduct a detailed investigation to identify the cause of the blast and evaluate its impact on gas production activities.

The explosion has drawn international attention because of Qatar’s prominent position in the global energy market, and further updates are awaited regarding the condition of the injured, the search for the missing individuals, and the restoration of normal operations at the facility.