Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday, 23 June thanked Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Amir of Qatar, for personally calling to offer condolences following an explosion at Ras Laffan Industrial City in Qatar that claimed the lives of 12 Indian nationals. The blast, which occurred on Sunday night, also left at least 66 people injured across multiple nationalities.

Modi's Message to the Amir

In a post on X, Prime Minister Modi wrote: 'I thank His Highness the Amir of Qatar for his phone call and condolences on the loss of lives of Indian nationals in the tragic accident at Ras Laffan Industrial City in Qatar. We both share the grief of the families who have lost their loved ones and pray for the speedy recovery of those injured.'

Modi further stated that India and Qatar remain steadfast in their commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of citizens and stand in solidarity with each other. The exchange underscores the depth of bilateral ties between the two nations, which are home to a significant Indian diaspora workforce in the Gulf.

What Happened at Ras Laffan

An explosion struck the Ras Laffan Industrial City — Qatar's sprawling gas and petrochemical hub — on Sunday night, killing at least 12 Indian nationals and injuring scores of workers from various countries. According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the total number of injured stands at 66 across nationalities, though the exact count of injured Indian workers had not been confirmed at the time of briefing.

Ras Laffan is one of the world's largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) processing centres and employs tens of thousands of foreign workers, a large share of whom are Indian. Industrial accidents in the facility, while rare, carry significant humanitarian consequences given the workforce density.

Government Response and Repatriation Efforts

The MEA confirmed it is coordinating with Qatari local authorities to identify and repatriate the mortal remains of the 12 Indian nationals who perished in the tragedy. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, speaking at a weekly media briefing, called the deaths 'very unfortunate' and said officials were in direct contact with the families of the deceased.

'Several other people have also been injured. I am told that some 66 people are injured across nationalities. We do not know exactly how many of them are Indian nationals, but all those people who are injured are safe,' Jaiswal said.

The Indian Embassy in Doha has been activated to provide assistance to affected families and liaise with Qatari authorities on identification and documentation procedures.

EAM Jaishankar Also Responds

Earlier on Tuesday, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar expressed deep sorrow over the incident in a post on X. 'Deeply saddened by the loss of lives and injuries, including those of Indian nationals, in the explosion at Qatar's Ras Laffan Industrial City. As further details emerge, our Embassy continues to be in touch with Qatari authorities and is reaching out to render assistance to the families of Indian nationals affected by this tragedy. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families,' he wrote.

What Comes Next

The MEA is expected to provide further updates as identification of the deceased is completed and repatriation logistics are finalised. Families of the victims are being kept informed through consular channels. The Qatar government has not yet issued a formal statement on the cause of the explosion, and investigations are understood to be ongoing.