By Desmond Nleya
DOHA, Qatar — At least 54 people were injured and 18 others reported missing after a powerful explosion ripped through a factory in Qatar’s Ras Laffan Industrial City on Sunday, authorities said.
Qatar’s Interior Ministry said the blast was caused by a “technical malfunction” and described the incident as an internal explosion. Emergency teams continued search and rescue operations on Monday as authorities worked to account for the missing workers.
The explosion occurred during the restart of operations at the Barzan local gas supply facility, according to state-owned QatarEnergy. The facility is located within Ras Laffan Industrial City, home to the world’s largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) export hub.
Witnesses reported seeing flames lighting up the night sky, while a large plume of smoke rose above the industrial zone. An AFP journalist positioned approximately 20 kilometres away observed the fire shortly after the blast.
The incident comes as Qatar attempts to restore energy production following months of disruption caused by the recent US-Iran conflict. Ras Laffan sustained significant damage during the war after Iranian strikes targeted Gulf energy infrastructure, forcing the country to halt gas production.
Qatar, one of the world’s leading LNG exporters, had begun efforts to resume operations as tensions in the Strait of Hormuz eased and negotiations over a permanent end to hostilities continued.
Energy analysts warn that any major damage to facilities at Ras Laffan could further disrupt global gas markets, which remain sensitive following the conflict. The full extent of the damage caused by Sunday’s explosion has not yet been determined.
Authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the blast, while emergency crews remain on site conducting search operations and assessing the impact on critical energy infrastructure.
