This frame grab from AFPTV video footage on June 21, 2026, shows an explosion at Qatar's Ras Laffan industrial zone, home to the world's largest liquefied natural gas hub, as the result of a "technical incident", the interior ministry says.

A huge blast at a Qatar gas hub that sent flames shooting into the night sky has injured 54 people, authorities said Monday as they searched for 18 others missing.

A “technical incident” caused the explosion late on Sunday in the Gulf emirate’s Ras Laffan industrial zone, the interior ministry said.

The blast took place at a unit supplying gas to local firms and reverberated across the capital Doha.

An AFP journalist 20 kilometres (12 miles) away saw bright orange flames and a plume of smoke rising from the area, home to the world’s largest liquefied natural gas hub.