Aramco helicopter crash kills 14 in Saudi Arabia

RIYADH: A helicopter crash in Saudi Arabia killed 14 Saudi citizens on Sunday, the kingdom’s official press agency reported, adding that the aircraft belonged to state oil giant Aramco.

The Saudi Press Agency, citing an official at the energy ministry, reported the helicopter crashed in Ras Tanura in the country’s east.

“The accident claimed the lives of all 14 passengers, all Saudi citizens,” the agency said, adding that an investigation was under way to determine the cause of the crash.

The incident took place at 6am local time (0300 GMT), the state news agency said.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar extended condolences over the incident.

“The government, myself and the people of Pakistan are deeply grieved by the tragic news of the helicopter crash in Ras Tanura, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which has claimed the 14 precious lives,” he said in a message on X.

“Pakistan extends heartfelt condolences to the government and people of the Kingdom,” he said, adding, “Pakistan stands in complete and unwavering solidarity with our Saudi brethren in this hour of national grief.”

Moreover, in a telephonic conversation with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal Bin Farhan Al Saud on the same day, FM Dar also expressed “sincere condolences” over the “sad incident” on behalf of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Field Marshal Asim Munir, the government, and the people of Pakistan, the Foreign Office said.

Aramco says it operates more than 60 aircraft, including helicopters, serving more than 300 heliports in Saudi Arabia, making it one of the largest corporate fleets in the region.

The deadly accident comes as oil-rich Gulf nations seek to ramp up their output following Iranian attacks and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway for the export of oil and gas.

The Gulf monarchy did not indicate the incident was in any way connected to a hostile attack.

During the Middle East war, Iranian attacks had targeted energy facilities in the Gulf.

Ras Tanura is home to one of the largest refineries in the Middle East, with a capacity of 550,000 barrels per day, and is critical to Saudi Arabia’s energy sector.

Aramco had resumed crude oil loadings on Friday at its Ras Tanura terminal in the Gulf after they were halted for nearly four months.

The refinery has been targeted several times, notably during a drone attack at the beginning of the conflict, which caused a fire and forced a partial shutdown.

Riyadh said in April that the weeks-long attacks had disrupted several production operations at key facilities, with refineries in Ras Tanura as well as Jubail, Yanbu and Riyadh targeted.

Saudi Arabia, the world’s leading crude exporter, produces a little over 10 million bpd.