A helicopter owned by Saudi Aramco, the world's largest oil company, crashed in Ras Tanura on Sunday, killing all 14 people on board. The Saudi Ministry of Energy confirmed that no survivors were found after the incident, which occurred at approximately 6 a.m. local time. All victims were Saudi nationals.
Investigation Underway
An inquiry has been launched to determine the cause of the crash. Aramco, majority-owned by the Saudi government, has faced significant pressure amid ongoing conflict with Iran that has disrupted oil supplies and driven up prices. The company had recently redirected some oil exports via a pipeline to bypass the Strait of Hormuz, which has been affected by Iranian actions.
Separate Incident in France
The crash follows another tragedy in France, where a light aircraft carrying tourists on a skydiving trip crashed in Tomblaine, near Nancy, killing at least 11 people. The plane, a Pilatus registered in Germany, was commonly used for parachute jumps. Among the dead were five instructors, five students, and the pilot. Three individuals were reportedly thrown from the wreckage.
