An explosion and fire hit Qatar’s Ras Laffan industrial area at the Barzan gas facility as workers attempted to restart operations following earlier wartime disruptions.

The incident injured at least 54 people and left 18 others missing, according to later reports from Qatar’s Interior Ministry.

The blast occurred amid efforts to resume exports after Iran’s previous attacks and disruptions linked to tensions over the Strait of Hormuz.

The facility is a major natural gas supplier for domestic electricity and desalination, and any damage could affect global energy markets, NBC News has reported.

QatarEnergy and officials are still assessing the extent of the damage, while the cause of the explosion remains under investigation.