Helicopter Crash in Saudi Arabia Claims 14 Lives

A helicopter operated by Aramco, Saudi Arabia’s state oil company, crashed on Sunday near the kingdom’s Persian Gulf coast. All 14 people on board, who were Saudi nationals, lost their lives, according to Saudi authorities.

The crash occurred near the Ras Tanura facility, an essential oil export hub. The Saudi energy ministry reported that an investigation is underway to determine the cause. There are no signs that the crash is linked to recent tensions between the United States and Iran.

Ras Tanura is a significant location for Saudi Arabia. It houses a major oil refinery and port used to export oil through the Strait of Hormuz. This narrow waterway became a focal point after the U.S. and Israeli war with Iran intensified. Before the conflict, the strait handled about 20% of global oil and gas shipments. Following Iran’s blockade of the strait, Saudi Arabia redirected its oil exports via an overland pipeline to the Red Sea coast.

Earlier this year, in March, a fire erupted at the Ras Tanura refinery. The incident followed the interception of two Iranian drones, leading to the closure of some refinery units. Recently, Saudi Arabia resumed crude oil loading at Ras Tanura, according to Reuters, based on shipping data.

Vivian Nereim, based in Riyadh, is The Times’ main reporter on the Arabian Peninsula countries.