Tragic Accident Claims Lives of Qatari Officials
Three employees of Qatar's Amiri Diwan, the country's top government body, were killed in a car crash on Saturday, October 11, 2025, near the Egyptian Red Sea resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh. Two other officials sustained injuries in the incident. The Qatari embassy in Cairo confirmed the fatalities and injuries, expressing 'deep sorrow and grief' over the loss of life.
The deceased have been identified as Saud bin Thamer Al Thani, Abdullah Al-Ghanem Al-Khayarin, and Hassan Jaber Al-Jaber. The injured officials, Abdullah Issa Al-Kuwari and Mohammed Abdulaziz Al-Buainain, are currently receiving medical treatment at Sharm el-Sheikh International Hospital.
Circumstances of the Crash
The accident occurred approximately 50 kilometers (31 miles) from Sharm el-Sheikh on the international road in South Sinai. Security sources reported that the vehicle, which was carrying five Qatari officials and an Egyptian driver, overturned on a curve. Egyptian state-linked media, Al-Qahera News, indicated that the crash was caused by a 'loss of control of the steering wheel' or a 'steering wheel malfunction'.
Mission Related to Gaza Peace Summit
The Qatari officials were performing official duties as part of an advance team traveling to Sharm el-Sheikh. Their mission was in preparation for a high-level international peace summit scheduled to begin on Monday, October 13, 2025. This summit, co-chaired by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and US President Donald Trump, aims to finalize a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
Qatar has played a pivotal role in mediating the ceasefire negotiations, alongside Egypt and Turkey, which led to the initial agreement on the first phase of the US President's plan to end the conflict in Gaza. The presence of the Qatari delegation underscored their central involvement in these critical diplomatic efforts.
Repatriation and International Condolences
The Qatari embassy announced that the injured officials and the bodies of the deceased would be repatriated to Doha later on Sunday, October 12, 2025. Following the tragic news, several Gulf and Arab states extended their condolences to Qatar. Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Jordan, Bahrain, and Kuwait issued statements expressing their sympathy and solidarity.
5 Comments
Donatello
The deaths are a profound tragedy for the families and for Qatar's diplomatic corps. Yet, the focus on a 'steering wheel malfunction' feels a bit simplistic given the high stakes and the political climate surrounding such a crucial summit.
Raphael
My heart goes out to the victims and their loved ones, as their mission was indeed important. Still, the incident reminds us that even with the best intentions, external factors and infrastructure issues can derail critical efforts.
Leonardo
Road safety in that region is notoriously bad. This was an accident waiting to happen.
Michelangelo
Car crash? 'Loss of control' or 'malfunction' sounds a bit too convenient for such high-profile officials.
Comandante
While the article highlights Qatar's important mediation role, the tragic accident also draws attention to the inherent risks and complexities of international diplomacy. Achieving lasting peace requires more than just high-level meetings.