DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Qatar’s energy minister said Monday that an explosion killed at least 13 people at a key gas export terminal.Saad Sherida al-Kaabi gave the toll during a news conference in Doha, Qatar’s capital and described the explosion as related to an industrial accident.The blast at the Ras Laffan industrial area could cause further chaos in global energy markets. Qatar remains one of the world’s top natural gas producers. Qatar shut down its production after Iran’s grip on the Strait of Hormuz meant it couldn’t get shipments out to its clients.With Iran loosening its grip 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 QatarEnergy said.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below.DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — 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 as another 18 were 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.
