Twelve Indian nationals were among 13 fatalities following an explosion at a factory in Ras Laffan Industrial City, Qatar,on Sunday evening. The Indian Embassy in Doha confirmed the tragic news on Monday,stating that all the deceased were Indian citizens .
Qatari authorities reported that an additional 66 individuals from various nationalities sustained injuries during the incident, but all are currently in stable condition and receiving medical care. The explosion occurred during the start-up of operations at the Barzan local gas supply facility, leading to both an explosion and a subsequent fire.
In press briefing, Qatar's Energy Minister, Saad bin Shreida Al-Kaabi,noted that incident stemmed from a "technical malfunction" during operations. Emergency response teams quickly mobilized to the site,implementing established emergency protocols . The Ministry of Interior confirmed that no leaks were detected,ensuring there was no ongoing threat to public safety or the surrounding environment.
The Indian Embassy expressed its deep concern over the incident and is actively coordinating with Qatari officials to assist the victims' families. They are focused on facilitating the repatriation of the deceased to India as soon as possible. In a statement, the Embassy conveyed solidarity with Qatari government and the local community,wishing for a swift recovery for those injured and safety for those still unaccounted for.
Authorities are conducting a thorough investigation to ascertain precise technical causes of the explosion and to clarify the circumstances surrounding the tragedy. The Indian Embassy has established helplines for families seeking assistance,providing the numbers +974-55647502 and +975-55384683, along with the email address cons.doha@mea.gov.in.
As situation unfolds,the Indian community in Qatar stands united in support of the affected families during this challenging time. The Embassy remains in constant communication with local authorities to ensure all necessary aid is provided.
