Saudi Aramco helicopter crash kills 14 in Ras Tanura, investigation under way

A helicopter belonging to Saudi oil giant Aramco crashed in Ras Tanura on Sunday, killing all 14 people on board. Saudi Arabia's official press agency reported the accident, citing an official at the energy ministry. All 14 passengers were Saudi citizens, and an investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the Saudi Aramco helicopter crash.

What caused the Saudi Aramco helicopter crash in Ras Tanura?

The cause of the crash has not been determined. Saudi authorities said an investigation is under way, and the kingdom did not indicate the incident was connected to any hostile attack. No further details about the circumstances of the crash have been released.

Where is Ras Tanura and why is it significant?

Ras Tanura is located on Saudi Arabia's eastern coast and is home to one of the largest oil refineries in the Middle East, with a capacity of 550,000 barrels per day. The facility is critical to Saudi Arabia's energy sector. During the recent Middle East conflict, Iranian attacks targeted energy facilities in the Gulf, including refineries at Ras Tanura, Jubail, Yanbu and Riyadh.

Riyadh said in April that those weeks-long attacks had disrupted several production operations at key facilities. The Ras Tanura refinery was hit by an Iranian drone attack earlier in the conflict, which caused a fire and forced a partial shutdown. Saudi Arabia produces a little over 10 million barrels per day as the world's leading crude exporter.

How large is Aramco's aviation fleet?

Aramco operates more than 60 aircraft, including helicopters that serve more than 300 heliports across Saudi Arabia, making it one of the largest corporate fleets in the region. The Sunday crash comes as oil-rich Gulf nations seek to increase output following Iranian attacks and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway for oil and gas exports. Saudi authorities have not indicated any link between the crash and regional hostilities.