Riyadh, June 28, 2026: Fourteen Saudi nationals were killed after a helicopter belonging to Saudi state oil giant Aramco crashed in the eastern Saudi city of Ras Tanura early Sunday, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
Citing an official from the Ministry of Energy, SPA reported that the helicopter crashed at around 6:00am local time (0300 GMT). All 14 passengers on board, all of them Saudi citizens, died in the accident.
Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the crash. No indication has been given that the incident was linked to any hostile attack.
Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, expressed profound sorrow over the tragedy and extended condolences to the leadership and people of Saudi Arabia.
“The government, myself and the people of Pakistan are deeply grieved by the tragic news of the helicopter crash in Ras Tanura, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which has claimed 14 precious lives,” Dar said in a message posted on X.
He conveyed Pakistan’s heartfelt sympathies to the Saudi government and people, adding that Pakistan stood in “complete and unwavering solidarity” with the Kingdom during this difficult time.
Aramco operates one of the largest corporate aviation fleets in the Middle East, comprising more than 60 aircraft, including helicopters, serving over 300 heliports across Saudi Arabia.
The accident occurred at a time when Gulf oil producers are increasing output following months of regional instability linked to the Iran-Israel conflict and the temporary closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy shipping route.
Ras Tanura is home to one of the Middle East’s largest oil refineries, with a processing capacity of approximately 550,000 barrels per day, and serves as one of Saudi Arabia’s most strategic energy hubs.
The facility had resumed crude oil loadings on Friday after operations were suspended for nearly four months due to regional security concerns. Earlier this year, Ras Tanura was among several Saudi energy facilities affected by drone attacks during the regional conflict, resulting in temporary disruptions to production.
Saudi Arabia, the world’s largest crude oil exporter, currently produces just over 10 million barrels of oil per day.
