Tuesday 24 Mar 2026
The helicopter suffered a technical malfunction during a routine duty mission, officials say. (File Photo/Qatar Defense Ministry)
Qatar’s Interior Ministry has confirmed that six of the seven individuals on board a helicopter have been found dead following a crash in the country's territorial waters. The incident, attributed by the Defence Ministry to a technical malfunction during a routine mission, occurred amidst a period of heightened regional volatility. Search and rescue operations are currently focused on locating the seventh missing person. Authorities have explicitly stated there is no evidence of hostile action, distinguishing this event from the recent series of drone and missile attacks on the nation's critical industrial infrastructure.
Qatar’s Interior Ministry said on Sunday that six of the seven people reported missing after a helicopter crash in the country’s territorial waters have been found dead.
A ministry statement said that ongoing search and rescue operations led to the recovery of six individuals who had been aboard the aircraft, confirming their deaths.
Authorities said specialised teams are continuing intensive efforts to locate the remaining missing person.
The ministry did not provide further details on the cause of the crash or the identities of those on board.
Earlier Sunday, Qatar's Defence Ministry said a helicopter suffered a “technical malfunction” during a routine mission and crashed in the country's regional waters.
No immediate information was available on the cause beyond the technical malfunction, and there was no indication that the crash was the result of hostile action.
The incident occurred amid heightened regional tensions.
Since US and Israeli forces began joint attacks on Iran on February 28, Qatar has been hit repeatedly by Iranian drones and missiles, including several strikes on its Ras Laffan Industrial City, one of the world’s largest LNG hubs.
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Source: TRT
