Saudi Aramco Helicopter Crash Kills 14 At Ras Tanura Oil Hub Near Strait Of Hormuz

A helicopter operated by Saudi Aramco crashed in the eastern Saudi city of Ras Tanura early Sunday, killing all 14 people on board, according to Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Energy.

The crash happened at around 6 a.m. local time (0300 GMT). All 14 people killed were Saudi nationals, the ministry said, adding that authorities have launched an investigation to find out what caused the accident.

The helicopter belonged to Saudi Aramco, the world’s largest oil company, which is majority-owned by the Saudi government. Officials have not released details about the purpose of the flight or what led to the crash.

The Ministry of Energy expressed its condolences to the families of those who died.

“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 said in a statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).

Ras Tanura is one of Saudi Arabia’s most important oil hubs. It is home to a major Saudi Aramco refinery and export terminal on the Arabian Gulf, making it a key centre for the country’s crude oil exports.

The crash comes just two days after Saudi Aramco resumed crude oil loading at its Ras Tanura terminal following an almost four-month suspension linked to the conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran, according to Reuters.

Aramco has also recently changed some of its export operations after the conflict disrupted oil supplies and pushed up prices.

The company said it shifted part of its crude oil exports to a pipeline to reduce its reliance on the Strait of Hormuz after shipping through the waterway was disrupted.

Saudi Arabia, the world’s largest oil exporter, has also been moving cargoes as Middle East producers increased oil and gas exports ahead of an interim agreement aimed at stopping the conflict between the United States and Iran, Reuters reported.

Aramco did not immediately comment on the crash.

Authorities are continuing to investigate the cause of the accident, and no further details about the flight have been released.

References: AP News, NDTVProfit