RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – Fourteen Saudi nationals have been killed after a helicopter belonging to state-owned oil giant Saudi Aramco crashed near Ras Tanura on the country’s eastern Gulf coast, authorities said.
According to the Saudi Press Agency, the helicopter went down at about 6:00 a.m. local time (0300 GMT) on Sunday. The cause of the crash was not immediately known.
“The relevant authorities have launched a full investigation to determine the cause of the crash,” the state news agency said.
No further details were released about the identities of those on board or the circumstances surrounding the accident.
The crash occurred near Ras Tanura, home to one of the world’s largest oil export terminals, located on Saudi Arabia’s eastern coast west of the Strait of Hormuz.
The incident comes just days after Saudi Aramco resumed crude oil loadings at its Ras Tanura export terminal on Friday, ending a suspension that had lasted nearly four months.
The resumption of operations coincides with increased oil and gas exports by Middle Eastern producers following an interim agreement aimed at halting hostilities between the United States and Iran.
Saudi Aramco had not responded to requests for comment at the time of publication.
Authorities said investigations are ongoing, and further information is expected once officials determine the cause of the crash.
Source: Reuters
