Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday expressed sorrow over a helicopter crash in Saudi Arabia's Ras Tanura that claimed the lives of 14 Saudi nationals, extending Pakistan's condolences to the Saudi leadership and the bereaved families.
Prime Minister's Statement on Social Media
In a post on X, the prime minister said he was "deeply saddened by the tragic helicopter crash." Shehbaz also extended condolences on behalf of the people and government of Pakistan, saying, "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."
Reaffirming Pakistan's support, Shehbaz stated that "Pakistan stands in full solidarity with our Saudi brothers and sisters in this hour of grief."
Details of the Crash
The helicopter crash 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 underway to determine the cause of the crash.
According to Aramco, it operates more than 60 aircraft, including helicopters, and serves more than 300 heliports in Saudi Arabia, making it one of the largest corporate fleets in the region.
Strategic Importance of Ras Tanura
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, however, did not indicate that the crash was in any way connected to a hostile attack. During the Middle East war, Iranian attacks have targeted energy facilities in the Gulf.
Ras Tanura, home to one of the largest refineries in the Middle East with a capacity of 550,000 barrels per day, is critical to Saudi Arabia's energy sector. The refinery has been targeted several times, notably during an Iranian 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.
