An explosion occurred at Qatar’s key natural gas export terminal in the Ras Laffan industrial area on Sunday night. This incident resulted in a fire that injured at least 54 people and left 18 missing, according to Qatar’s Interior Ministry.

The blast came as workers attempted to resume operations at the terminal, which had been previously halted due to Iran’s military actions that included an attack on the facility. This attack prevented Qatar from shipping its natural gas owing to a blockade on the Strait of Hormuz. The recent explosion complicates efforts to normalize Qatar’s role as a major player in the global energy market.

With Iran easing its control over the strait, amid ongoing negotiations about ending the war, Qatar began efforts to restart its terminal. During these efforts, the explosion and fire erupted at the Barzan gas supply facility. QatarEnergy, the state-run firm, confirmed the incident but the extent of the damage has yet to be fully assessed.

The Barzan plant, significant for its capacity of nearly 1.4 billion standard cubic feet of gas per day, plays a crucial role in providing electricity and water desalination in Qatar. Qatar owns the majority of the facility, with ExxonMobil holding a smaller stake. The company has not yet commented on the situation.

Earlier incidents, such as the March missile strike from Iran that caused damage at Ras Laffan, had already forced Qatar to cease production. Qatar and Iran share a massive offshore natural gas field in the Persian Gulf. This natural gas wealth has empowered Qatar, boosting its influence through ventures like hosting the 2022 FIFA World Cup and participating in international diplomatic efforts, like the Iran-U.S. talks in Switzerland.