RIYADH: A helicopter operated by Saudi energy giant Aramco crashed on Sunday near the coastal city of Ras Tanura in eastern Saudi Arabia, killing all 14 people on board, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
The victims were all Saudi nationals. Authorities have not yet determined the cause of the crash, and an official investigation has been launched involving the relevant government agencies.
In a statement carried by the state news agency, officials confirmed that investigators are working to establish the circumstances surrounding the accident. No further details about the aircraft, crew, or the identities of those killed were immediately released.
The Aramco helicopter crash occurred in Ras Tanura, a strategic oil hub located on Saudi Arabia’s eastern coast, west of the Strait of Hormuz. The area is home to one of the world’s largest crude oil export terminals and plays a critical role in global energy supplies.
The tragedy comes just days after Aramco resumed crude oil loadings at its Ras Tanura terminal. Operations had restarted on Friday after being suspended for nearly four months due to heightened regional security concerns linked to tensions between the United States and Iran.
Saudi Arabia has recently increased oil production and export activity alongside other Middle Eastern producers following an interim agreement aimed at easing hostilities between Washington and Tehran. The resumption of exports was seen as an important step toward restoring stability in global energy markets.
While there is currently no indication that the crash was linked to security issues or regional tensions, authorities have urged the public to wait for the findings of the official investigation before drawing conclusions.
As the world’s largest oil exporter, Saudi Arabia relies heavily on infrastructure such as the Ras Tanura terminal to maintain the flow of crude oil to international markets. The incident has drawn attention due to its timing, coming as the kingdom works to normalize operations in its energy sector after months of disruption.
Officials said further updates will be released once investigators complete their assessment. The Saudi oil industry continues to operate normally, and there have been no reports of disruptions to crude exports following the Ras Tanura crash.
