At least 54 people were injured and 18 others remained missing after an explosion and fire struck a gas facility in Qatar’s Ras Laffan Industrial City, one of the world’s most important natural gas hubs.

The incident occurred on Sunday evening at the Barzan gas supply facility during the start-up of operations, according to state-owned energy company QatarEnergy. Emergency response teams were immediately deployed to the site, and authorities later confirmed that the fire had been brought under control.

Rescue teams continue search operation

Qatar’s Interior Ministry said 54 people had been injured in the blast, while specialised search and rescue teams, working alongside Civil Defence personnel, were continuing efforts to locate 18 individuals reported missing. Authorities described the incident as a “technical accident” and said there was no gas leak posing a threat to public safety.

Ras Laffan Industrial City, located north of Doha, serves as Qatar’s main liquefied natural gas (LNG) processing centre and is a crucial part of the country’s energy infrastructure. The Barzan facility primarily supplies gas to Qatar’s domestic market.

Cause under investigation

QatarEnergy has not yet disclosed the extent of any damage to the facility. The cause of the explosion remains under investigation.

Witnesses reported hearing a loud explosion, while flames and thick smoke were seen rising from the industrial complex. Officials have not indicated whether the incident will affect broader energy operations at Ras Laffan.

Iran has announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most strategically important maritime routes, citing Israeli attacks in Lebanon as the reason behind the move. The development comes just days after the waterway had reportedly been reopened following a period of heightened regional tensions.

According to reports, the announcement was made by Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, the country’s top joint military command. Iranian authorities alleged that ongoing Israeli military actions in Lebanon and what they described as insufficient efforts by the United States to restrain those attacks had violated the terms of a recently established ceasefire arrangement.

The Strait of Hormuz is a critical global energy corridor connecting the Persian Gulf with the Arabian Sea. A significant share of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas shipments passes through the narrow waterway, making any disruption a matter of international concern.

Iranian officials reportedly described the closure as an initial response and warned that additional measures could follow if regional hostilities continue. The announcement has raised concerns about potential disruptions to global energy markets and maritime trade.

However, there were conflicting assessments regarding the immediate impact of the decision. A senior US official reportedly said there was no visible indication of Iranian military activity that would suggest an imminent enforcement of the closure, while diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran were expected to continue in Switzerland.

The latest development marks another escalation in regional tensions and places renewed focus on the security of one of the world’s most important shipping routes.

A tense confrontation unfolded at the United Nations after Israel’s ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, and senior UN official Vanessa Frazier exchanged sharp remarks during a public hearing focused on children affected by armed conflicts.

The disagreement emerged during an event linked to discussions on the impact of wars on children, where Danon strongly criticized recent UN findings concerning Israel’s conduct in the ongoing Gaza conflict.

Dispute over UN report

During the hearing, Danon accused UN officials of unfairly targeting Israel and questioned the credibility of reports that documented alleged violations involving children in conflict zones. He argued that the findings reflected bias against Israel and called for accountability from those responsible for preparing the reports.

As Danon continued his criticism, Vanessa Frazier intervened and objected to what she described as personal attacks against UN officials. She defended the reporting process, stating that the findings were based on evidence collected and verified through established UN mechanisms.

The exchange quickly became heated, with Danon responding by telling Frazier to “be quiet” while continuing to challenge the conclusions presented in the reports.

Tensions over Gaza conflict findings

The confrontation highlights ongoing tensions between Israel and the United Nations over reports examining the humanitarian impact of the war in Gaza. Israeli officials have repeatedly disputed UN assessments, arguing that they fail to adequately reflect the security challenges Israel faces.

UN officials, meanwhile, have maintained that their reports are based on documented evidence and are intended to monitor the effects of armed conflict on civilians, particularly children.

The disagreement at the hearing underscored the deep divisions that continue to surround international scrutiny of the conflict and its humanitarian consequences.

International attention on children in conflict

The hearing formed part of broader UN efforts to address the impact of armed conflicts on children worldwide. Such discussions typically focus on issues including displacement, access to education, recruitment by armed groups, and violence against minors in conflict zones.

The verbal clash between the Israeli envoy and the UN official drew attention to the broader debate over accountability, evidence gathering and international oversight during ongoing conflicts.