On Sunday, June 28, a tragedy occurred in eastern Saudi Arabia: a helicopter belonging to the world's largest oil company, Saudi Aramco, crashed. The accident happened at 6:00 AM local time on the coast of the Persian Gulf, in close proximity to one of the country's major oil terminals.
14 Dead and Investigation Underway
The Saudi Arabian state news agency officially confirmed the deaths of 14 people. Currently, no details regarding the aircraft model or the purpose of the flight have been released. The agency's statement noted that relevant authorities have already launched a full investigation to determine the true cause of the accident.
Aramco itself did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Timing Coincides with Terminal Restart
The crash occurred during a tense period for the region's infrastructure. Just two days before the tragedy, on Friday, Aramco resumed crude oil loading at the very same terminal where the helicopter crashed. This event was significant following an operational halt of nearly four months.
Context of Aviation Incidents
The incident in Saudi Arabia is the latest in a series of aviation disasters that have shaken the world this year. In June, six people died in Brazil in a collision between two helicopters, including the famous American singer Oliver Tree. Earlier, in January, a plane carrying 15 passengers crashed in Colombia, among whom local politicians may have been. And at the end of March, a tourist helicopter crashed in Hawaii — three people died on the spot, and two others were seriously injured.