A Saudi Aramco helicopter crashed at Ras Tanura on Sunday at 6:00 am, killing all 14 Saudi nationals on board. | Representative image: iStock
Saudi Aramco helicopter crash kills 14 near Ras Tanura; probe underway
The Saudi Ministry of Energy confirmed all passengers died after the helicopter crashed on Sunday morning, with investigators probing the cause
A helicopter operated by Saudi Aramco crashed at Ras Tanura on Sunday morning, killing all 14 people on board. The Saudi Ministry of Energy confirmed the crash occurred at 6:00 am local time, with all passengers being Saudi nationals.
The Ministry of Energy extended its condolences to the families of the victims, praying for mercy and forgiveness upon them.
“The ministry of energy extends its deepest condolences and sincere sympathies to the families of the deceased, praying that Almighty God grants them mercy and forgiveness and accepts them among the martyrs. Indeed, we belong to God, and to Him we shall return,” the ministry's statement read.
Cause still unknown
Investigations are underway in cooperation with relevant authorities to determine the cause of the crash. No further details about the type of helicopter, the mission it was on, or the exact circumstances of the accident have been released by Aramco or Saudi authorities.
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Crash at crucial time
Ras Tanura hosts the largest oil refinery in the Middle East, operated by Saudi Aramco. The terminal had resumed crude oil loadings only on June 26, after operations were halted for nearly four months. The resumption came as part of a broader regional push to ramp up oil and gas exports ahead of an interim deal to end the conflict between the United States and Iran.
The crash comes at a sensitive moment for the kingdom's energy infrastructure, with Ras Tanura serving as one of the most strategically vital oil terminals in the world.