By Daily Review Online
At least 14 people have died after a helicopter operated by Saudi oil giant Aramco crashed in eastern Saudi Arabia, according to the country’s Ministry of Energy.
The helicopter went down on Sunday in Ras Tanura, a major oil refining and export hub located on the Kingdom’s eastern Gulf coast, west of the Strait of Hormuz. All 14 people on board were killed in the crash.
Saudi authorities said an investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the accident, which remains unknown.
The crash occurred just two days after Aramco resumed crude oil loadings at its Ras Tanura terminal following a suspension that lasted nearly four months.
Ras Tanura is one of Saudi Arabia’s most important energy facilities and plays a key role in the country’s oil export operations. The incident comes as oil-producing nations in the Middle East increase production and exports ahead of an interim agreement aimed at easing tensions between the United States and Iran.