An explosion at Qatar’s Ras Laffan industrial area on Sunday has injured 54 people and left 18 others missing, according to authorities.
The incident occurred during the start-up of operations at a core liquefied natural gas (LNG) processing site, marking a significant safety event at one of the world’s most critical energy hubs.
Natural gas prices jumped sharply in early trading as markets assessed the potential impact on supply.
Ras Laffan is the heart of Qatar’s LNG production, and any disruption to its processing capabilities raises immediate concerns about export volumes to Europe and Asia.
The timing of the blast, during a restart operation, suggests operational complexity that could delay a swift return to full capacity.
Qatar is the world’s largest LNG exporter, and its output is vital for global energy security, particularly in Europe where reliance on imported gas remains high.