A helicopter belonging to Saudi Arabian oil giant Saudi Aramco crashed in Ras Tanura on Sunday morning, killing all 14 people on board, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
The crash occurred at around 6 am in Ras Tanura, home to the largest oil refinery in the West Asian region, which is operated by Saudi Aramco. The cause of the accident has not yet been determined, and authorities have launched an investigation.
SPA reported that all 14 victims were Saudi Arabian citizens. The Saudi 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 state news agency.
The crash comes just days after Saudi Aramco resumed crude oil loadings at its Ras Tanura terminal following a suspension of nearly four months. Saudi Arabia, the world's largest oil exporter, has accelerated oil and gas exports in recent weeks amid efforts by regional producers to stabilise supplies following an interim ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran.
11 dead in French air tragedy
In a separate aviation tragedy on Sunday, 11 people were killed when a civilian aircraft carrying skydivers crashed near Nancy in northeastern France.
According to French media reports, the victims included five instructors, five students and the pilot. The aircraft, operated by a skydiving club, reportedly plunged vertically without any indication that the pilot had attempted an emergency landing.
Authorities said several relatives of the victims witnessed the crash while waiting for the group's first skydiving experience. Emergency services established a medical and psychological support unit for families. No injuries were reported on the ground despite the aircraft crashing near residential areas.
Investigations into both aviation accidents are under way.
Also read: Pilots’ body disputes AI171 crash theory, flags ‘math mismatch’
Follow us
