External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar expresses grief after Indian nationals are reported among those killed in an explosion and fire at Qatar’s Ras Laffan Industrial City. QatarEnergy and Qatari officials say the incident results in 13 deaths in total, with 66 others injured. India’s Embassy in Doha confirms that 12 Indian nationals were among the fatalities, and states that it is in constant contact with Qatari authorities to provide assistance to families of the deceased and to the injured. The injured are reported to be in stable condition and are receiving medical treatment.
QatarEnergy says the injured include people from multiple countries, including Qatar, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Kenya, Ghana, Tanzania, Nigeria and Nepal. QatarEnergy also states that preliminary findings indicate the explosion is an operational accident and not sabotage or hostile in nature. Reporting by The Hindu cites Qatar’s minister and QatarEnergy CEO Saad Al-Kaabi, who attributes the fire to the explosion at a gas supply facility, describes it as a technical malfunction, and notes that an investigation is underway. The Indian Embassy says efforts are underway to repatriate the mortal remains to India at the earliest.
