Funeral prayers were held on Monday for the 14 victims of the Saudi Aramco helicopter crash in Ras Tanura, according to the Saudi Press Agency. Eastern Province Gov. Prince Saud bin Naif, Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, and Deputy Gov. of the Eastern Province Prince Saud bin Bandar took part in the prayers at Al-Furqan Mosque in Dammam after Asr prayers.
Crash Details
The accident took place at 6 a.m. local time in the oil port city of Ras Tanura on Sunday, claiming the lives of 14 Saudi nationals. An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the crash. The aircraft was reportedly a Leonardo AW139, transporting oil sector workers from underwater and offshore oil fields in the Gulf, according to a source quoted by Asharq Al-Awsat.
Condolences from Saudi Officials
Condolences were extended by the governor, energy minister and Saudi Aramco CEO Amin Nasser to the families of the deceased. In addition, multiple Arab leaders sent their condolences to the Kingdom following the tragedy.
Regional Condolences
Jordan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates expressed its condolences in a statement via X. The ministry’s spokesperson, Ambassador Sufyan Qudah, emphasized Jordan’s solidarity with the Kingdom. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Sultanate of Oman also expressed condolences to the Kingdom, sending prayers to the victims’ families. Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, in a statement, expressed his deepest condolences to King Salman, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and the Saudi people. Other Arab heads of state issued statements to express sorrow and extend prayers to the Kingdom and the victims’ families, including the leaders of Kuwait, Syria, Palestine and the UAE.
