See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred SourceBy PERKIN AMALARAJ, FOREIGN NEWS REPORTER Published: 15:58 BST, 28 June 2026 | Updated: 15:58 BST, 28 June 2026
At least 14 people were killed in Saudi Arabia when a Saudi Aramco helicopter carrying them crashed on Sunday, killing everyone aboard. The accident occurred around 6am local time (3am GMT) in Ras Tanura, in the country's east, and all of the people killed were Saudi nationals, a statement from the world's biggest oil firm said. There was no further information about what caused the crash.The helicopter belonged to Aramco, the world's largest oil company, which is majority-owned by Saudi Arabia.Local media reported that an investigation was under way to determine the cause of the crash. The deadly accident comes as oil-rich Gulf nations seek to ramp up their output following Iranian attacks and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway for the export of oil and gas.The Gulf monarchy did not indicate the incident was in any way connected to a hostile attack.During the Middle East war, Iranian attacks had targeted energy facilities in the Gulf. The accident occurred around 6am local time (3am GMT) in Ras Tanura, in the country's east (File image of an oil refinery in Ras Tanura)Ras Tanura is home to one of the largest refineries in the Middle East, with a capacity of 550,000 barrels per day, and is critical to Saudi Arabia's energy sector.The refinery has been targeted several times, notably during an Iranian drone attack at the beginning of the conflict, which caused a fire and forced a partial shutdown.Riyadh said in April that the weeks-long attacks had disrupted several production operations at key facilities, with refineries in Ras Tanura as well as Jubail, Yanbu and Riyadh targeted.Saudi Arabia, the world's leading crude exporter, produces a little over 10 million bpd.Aramco has recently had to scramble as the Iran war disrupted oil supplies and raised prices. The company said it successfully shifted some oil exports to a pipeline to avoid the Strait of Hormuz, which has been disrupted by the war.On Friday, Saudi Aramco said it has resumed crude oil loading at its Ras Tanura terminal, following months of prolonged fighting between Iran and the US and Israel. The Daily Mail has contacted Saudi Aramco for further comment.
