Helicopter Crash Involving Aramco in Saudi Arabia (June 2026)

Suudi Arabistan’s Ras Tanura city, located on its eastern coast, witnessed a helicopter owned by the national oil company Aramco crash at around 06:00 local time on 28 June 2026 for reasons yet to be determined. All 14 people on board perished in the accident. The Suudi Arabistan Ministry of Energy confirmed in its official statement that all those who lost their lives were citizens of Suudi Arabistan.

Following the accident, the Suudi Arabistan Ministry of Energy confirmed the incident and announced that 14 lives were lost. The statement did not offer any assessment of the cause but indicated that relevant authorities had launched a comprehensive investigation to examine all aspects of the event.

Suudi Arabistan’s official news agency SPA also reported that the accident occurred in Ras Tanura and that the cause had not yet been determined, adding that the investigation was ongoing.

Ras Tanura, where the accident took place, is a strategic energy hub situated on the eastern coast of Suudi Arabistan along the Persian Gulf and is recognized as one of the world’s most important oil export terminals. The city hosts one of Aramco’s largest oil refineries and crude oil loading terminals.

Aramco did not issue a detailed public statement in the immediate aftermath of the accident, but it was stated that the cause would become clear only after the official investigation is completed.

The accident occurred just two days after Aramco resumed crude oil loading operations at its Ras Tanura terminal, following a four-month suspension. The terminal had recently resumed full-capacity operations amid a period of rising oil and natural gas production in the Middle East and accelerating regional energy shipments.

Authorities have stated that the cause of the helicopter’s crash has not yet been determined. Technical malfunctions, weather conditions, human error, and other possible factors are being investigated, with the inquiry being conducted under the coordination of relevant aviation and safety institutions.

Following the accident, security measures in the region were strengthened, debris field inspections were initiated, and flight data and technical records began to be analyzed. The final determination of the accident’s cause is expected to be made public upon completion of the investigation.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye issued a written condolence message following the accident. The statement expressed deep sorrow over the loss of life in the helicopter crash in Ras Tanura and extended prayers for mercy for the deceased and condolences to their families and the people of Suudi Arabistan.

The ministry’s statement included the following: “We pray for God’s mercy for those who lost their lives in this accident and offer our condolences to their families and the people of Suudi Arabistan.”