Doha

At least 13 people were killed and 66 others injured after an explosion and fire broke out at a gas facility in Qatar's Ras Laffan Industrial City on Sunday evening, according to Qatari authorities.

Qatar's Energy Minister and QatarEnergy CEO, Saad bin Shreida Al-Kaabi, said the incident occurred at the Barzan local gas supply facility during the start-up phase of operations.

Addressing a press conference, Al-Kaabi confirmed that those who lost their lives included Indian and Pakistani nationals, though the exact number of Indian fatalities had not been officially confirmed.

The Embassy of India in Qatar said it was in constant contact with Qatari authorities and was extending all possible assistance to the families of those affected.

Expressing condolences, the embassy conveyed sympathy to the families of those who died in the tragedy and wished a speedy recovery to the injured.

The mission also issued emergency helpline numbers — +974-55647502 and +974-55384683 — and asked those seeking assistance to contact the embassy through [email protected].

Earlier, the embassy had expressed concern over the incident, noting that several people had been injured while some individuals were initially reported missing. It said the Indian community in Qatar stood in solidarity with the government and people of Qatar during the difficult period.

According to QatarEnergy, emergency response teams were dispatched immediately after the blast and succeeded in bringing the fire under control.

The company said the explosion and subsequent fire erupted during operational start-up activities at the Barzan gas facility in Ras Laffan Industrial City, one of the country's key energy hubs.

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Authorities have not yet announced the cause of the incident, and investigations are expected to continue as officials assess the extent of the damage and account for all affected workers.