Qatar's energy minister Saad al-Kaabi said on Monday that 13 people had been killed and 66 injured in a gas plant explosion, but added that the accident will not affect exports.

"I find myself today having to do something I have always hoped will never happen, and that is to announce, the tragic loss of 13 lives of our people who hold Indian and Pakistani nationalities. 66 people have been reported injured and are receiving medical treatment, none of whom are in life-threatening condition," he said.

He said the deadly blast a night earlier was the result of an accident and that it would not affect the country's exports.

"This will not affect in any way our exports to the world," al-Kaabi told reporters, adding that "this was an accident and not sabotage or hostile in nature".

The explosion happened in Qatar's Ras Laffan industrial zone. (AFP)


Edited by Edmond Fong