A helicopter operated by Saudi oil company Aramco crashed on Sunday, June 28, in “Ras Tanura” on Saudi Arabia eastern coast, near the waters west of the Strait of Hormuz.
The crash killed all 14 people on board, officials said the aircraft went down during flight for reasons that are still not clear. Authorities confirmed that the helicopter belonged to Aramco and was carrying 14 nationals at the time of the accident. Emergency teams responded, but all passengers were declared dead at the scene.
The Saudi Press Agency reported that relevant authorities have started a full investigation to determine the cause of the crash. Officials also expressed condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and said they are closely monitoring the inquiry.
Saudi Aramco Helicopter Crash Kills 14 in Ras Tanura
A Saudi Aramco helicopter crashed at approximately 6:00 AM today in Ras Tanura, Saudi Arabia's main oil export hub in the Eastern Province, killing all 14 people on board.
Authorities confirmed that all victims were Saudi… pic.twitter.com/Sq521t3OWO
— Global Defense Insight (@Defense_Talks) June 28, 2026
At the same time, Aramco had recently resumed crude oil loading operations at its Ras-Tanura terminal on Friday after a suspension that lasted nearly four months. The terminal plays a key role in Saudi Arabia oil exports and global energy supply chains.
Furthermore, the incident comes at a time when Saudi Arabia, the world largest oil exporter, has been increasing export activity. Regional producers have also boosted output as global energy markets adjust to shifting geopolitical conditions and supply demands.
However, authorities have not linked the crash to any external factors so far. Investigators continue to review technical and operational details to understand what caused the sudden accident.
In addition, officials have stressed that all necessary safety and aviation protocols will be examined during the investigation. They said updates will be shared once more verified information becomes available, the crash has raised concern across the region, while rescue and investigation teams.
