Explosion hits Qatar's main gas complex; 18 people are missing

This AFPTV video capture in 21 June 2026 shows an explosion in the Ras Laffan industrial zone, Qatar, which houses the world's largest liquefied natural gas hub, resulting from a “technical incident,” according to the Ministry of Interior. AFPTV / AFP Fifty-four people were injured and 18 others remain missing after an explosion followed by a fire at the Barzan gas complex in the Ras Laffan Industrial City, Qatar, this Sunday (21), local authorities reported. According to the state-owned QatarEnergy, the incident occurred during the start of operations at the unit's natural gas distribution facility. Emergency teams were called to fight the flames, which have already been brought under control. The Qatar Ministry of Interior classified the case as a "technical accident" and stated that there are no risks to public safety.

Rescue teams continue to search for the missing persons. QatarEnergy did not report whether the explosion caused structural damage to the Barzan facility, which is responsible for supplying gas to the country's domestic market. Now on g1 A witness heard by Reuters reported hearing a loud explosion in Doha, the capital of Qatar, located south of Ras Laffan. The Barzan unit has a processing capacity of 1,4 billion cubic feet of gas per day and supplies local industries and the power generation sector. The facility also produces ethane, condensate, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), and sulfur for domestic and international markets. The complex is located in Ras Laffan, Qatar's main production and export hub for liquefied natural gas (LNG).

The region concentrates 14 liquefaction units and has a total production capacity of 77 million tons of LNG per year. The incident occurs months after two natural gas liquefaction units and a gas-to-liquids facility in Qatar were damaged during the conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, reducing the country's LNG export capacity by approximately 17%. Authorities estimate that repairs to these structures could take years. *With information from Reuters.