Jaishankar expresses grief over Ras Laffan blast in Qatar, says embassy assisting affected Indian families

India on 23 June expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and injuries caused by an explosion at Qatar's Ras Laffan Industrial City, with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar saying that authorities were closely monitoring the situation and extending assistance to affected citizens.

In a statement on X, Jaishankar said he was ‘deeply saddened’ by the casualties, which include 12 Indian nationals. The minister said the Indian Embassy in Qatar was in touch with Qatari authorities and was reaching out to provide support to the families of Indians impacted by the tragedy.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families," the minister said.

Twelve Indians were among 13 people killed in an explosion at a factory in the Ras Laffan Industrial City in Qatar, officials said on Monday.

"Qatari authorities have confirmed that 12 Indian nationals have unfortunately passed away in the Ras Laffan incident yesterday night," the Indian Embassy in Doha said in a post on X on Monday.

The explosion at the Barzan local gas supply facility at Ras Laffan Industrial City, which is operated by QatarEnergy LNG, injured 66 people, including Indians.

Citing Qatari authorities, the Indian mission said that all injured are in stable condition and are receiving appropriate medical treatment.

"Our Embassy is working in close contact with the Qatari authorities to extend all possible help to the Indian nationals and their families affected by this incident, including ensuring that mortal remains of the deceased are sent to India at the earliest," it added.

Earlier in the day, during a press briefing on Monday, Qatar's Energy Minister Saad bin Shreida Al-Kaabi confirmed that 13 people of Indian and Pakistani origins have died in the incident.

Those injured are of Qatari, Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Kenyan, Ghanaian, Tanzanian, Nigerian, and Nepalese nationalities, according to officials.

Earlier, the Embassy of India expressed "deep concern at the unfortunate incident", in which several people got injured, and some are missing.

"At this challenging and difficult time, the Embassy of India and the entire Indian community in Qatar stands in solidarity with the Government and people of Qatar. We wish for the speedy recovery of those injured and hope and pray for the safety of those missing," it said.

In a separate statement, the Ministry of Interior said that the incident was caused by a "technical malfunction" during operations, resulting in the deaths of 13 people and injuries to 66 others of various nationalities.

It said security authorities immediately responded to the accident in coordination with emergency response teams in Ras Laffan, implementing approved emergency procedures at the site.

The injured were transferred to medical facilities to receive treatment, while search and response operations at the scene were completed.