Qatari authorities reported that the explosion at the gas export terminal was caused by an 'operational error.' In March, the terminal was shelled by Iran.
An explosion occurred in the Ras Laffan industrial area of Qatar, where the world's largest liquefied natural gas production center is located, the country's Ministry of Interior reported.
Fifty-four people were injured, 18 are missing, and no gas leaks have been detected at the site.
QatarEnergy, which operates the terminal, stated that the incident was caused by an operational error while employees were attempting to restart the complex. It had effectively been idle for several months after being shelled by Iran in March.
Analysts believe the explosion in Ras Laffan could exacerbate chaos in global energy markets, considering that Qatar remains one of the largest producers of natural gas in the world.
The terminal is located about 80 km northeast of Qatar's capital, Doha, and reports indicate that residents of the capital felt tremors similar to an earthquake at the time of the explosion. The complex consists of 14 production lines, as well as several processing facilities and a port for LNG exports. The industrial cluster accounts for about 20% of global liquefied natural gas supplies.
Iran has struck the Ras Laffan complex several times, with the first attack occurring on March 2, and subsequent strikes disabling at least two production lines.
The explosion in Ras Laffan occurred against the backdrop of another round of negotiations between the U.S. and Iran in Switzerland, which focused on implementing a memorandum to cease hostilities and resume operations in the Strait of Hormuz.
