Several reported injured after explosion at factory in Qatar

Qatar’s interior ministry said an explosion resulting from a “technical accident” occurred on Sunday at a factory in Ras Laffan, an industrial city north of the capital Doha and site of the country’s core LNG processing operations. It said several injuries were reported but no leak that “threatens safety”. The ministry did not give the exact location of the explosion. But, Qatar Energy confirmed that the operational incident during the start-up of operations at Ras Laffan Industrial City, saying it resulted in an explosion at its Barzan gas supply facility. QatarEnergy said fire at the factory was under control after the deployment of emergency response teams to contain the blaze. A Reuters witness had initially said a loud boom was heard in Doha. Pakistan’s embassy in Qatar expressed concern over the incident, saying it “stands in solidarity with Qatar”.