Fourteen people, all Saudi nationals, were killed when a helicopter operated by Saudi Aramco crashed in Ras Tanura.

“The Ministry of Energy extends its deepest condolences and sincere sympathies to the families of the martyrs, praying that Almighty Allah grants them mercy and forgiveness and accepts them as martyrs,” it said.

Aramco ​had resumed crude oil loadings at its Ras Tanura terminal after a halt ​of nearly four months.

Ras Tanura, on Saudi Arabia’s eastern Gulf coast, is one of the world’s most important oil export hubs and a cornerstone of the Kingdom’s energy industry. 

The terminal handles a significant share of Saudi Arabia’s crude oil exports and also includes one of the country’s largest refineries.

A full investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the crash.