- By Ajeet Kumar
- Mon, 22 Jun 2026 08:59 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
- Explosion at Qatar's Ras Laffan gas export terminal.
- 54 injured, 18 missing after Barzan facility blast.
- Impacts global natural gas markets, raising supply concerns.
An explosion tore through Qatar's key natural gas export terminal Sunday night as workers tried to resume operations there after Iran bombed it during the war, causing a fire that hurt at least 54 people, with another 18 still missing hours later.
The blast at the Ras Laffan industrial area could cause further chaos in global energy markets, particularly as Qatar remains one of the world's top natural gas producers.
Qatar shut down its production after Iran's chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz meant it couldn't get shipments out to its clients. With Iran loosening its grip on the strait as negotiations continue over a permanent end to the war, Qatar began work to try to restart its export terminal.
On Sunday night, that work sparked an explosion and fire at the Barzan gas supply facility, the state-run firm QatarEnergy said.
The scale of the damage remains unknown after the blast, with officials initially saying only a few people had been hurt. But hours later, Qatar's interior ministry offered the far-greater casualty figures.
US, Iran agree on roadmap to reach final deal within 60 days
Notably, the explosion occured at the same time when US and Iran agree on roadmap to reach final deal within 60 days.
ALSO READ: 'Will End Negotiations If…': Iran Warns US Talks Could Collapse If Israel Stays In Lebanon
The first session of high-level talks between Iran and the United States under the framework of the 14-point Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) concluded on Sunday (local time) at the Lake Lucerne Summit in Switzerland's Burgenstock, with mediators Qatar and Pakistan announcing "encouraging progress" and a roadmap aimed at securing a final agreement within 60 days.
The joint statement posted by Qatar and Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday informed that the summit was conducted in a "positive and constructive atmosphere", resulting in the creation of a mechanism for technical negotiations.
(With inputs from agency)
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