Shehbaz offers condolences over Saudi helicopter crash that killed 14

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday expressed grief over a helicopter crash in Saudi Arabia's Ras Tanura that killed 14 Saudi nationals, and conveyed condolences to the kingdom's leadership, the bereaved families and the Saudi people.

In a post on X, the prime minister said he was deeply affected by the incident and extended sympathies on behalf of Pakistan. He also reiterated Pakistan's support for Saudi Arabia during the period of mourning.

"Deeply saddened by the tragic helicopter crash. I extend our heartfelt condolences to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, His Majesty King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the bereaved families, and the brotherly people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Pakistan stands in full solidarity with our Saudi brothers and sisters in this hour of grief," Shehbaz said.

Crash details

The helicopter went down on Sunday in Ras Tanura in eastern Saudi Arabia, according to the Saudi Press Agency, which cited an official at the energy ministry. The aircraft belonged to state oil giant Aramco and that all 14 people on board were Saudi citizens.

The Saudi Press Agency said the crash killed all passengers and that an investigation had been launched to establish the cause of the accident. Aramco operates a fleet of more than 60 aircraft, including helicopters, and serves more than 300 heliports across Saudi Arabia, according to the company.

Regional context

The crash occurred as Gulf oil-producing states seek to increase output after Iranian attacks and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a major route for oil and gas exports. Saudi authorities did not indicate that the helicopter accident was linked to any hostile action.

During the Middle East conflict, Iranian attacks targeted energy infrastructure in the Gulf. Ras Tanura is home to one of the Middle East's largest refineries, with a capacity of 550,000 barrels per day, and holds a key place in Saudi Arabia's energy network. The facility has previously come under attack, including an Iranian drone strike early in the conflict that caused a fire and led to a partial shutdown.

Riyadh said in April that weeks of attacks had disrupted production operations at major facilities, including refineries in Ras Tanura, Jubail, Yanbu and Riyadh. Background reporting also said Saudi Arabia, the world's leading crude exporter, produces a little over 10 million barrels per day.