An Aberdeenshire offshore worker has been killed in Qatar during a violent incident that also left his colleague injured, Qatari police have confirmed.
A third man – a contractor of Ellon-based Film-Ocean Ltd – has been arrested by the local police as Middle Eastern authorities continue to investigate the incident.
It happened on an offshore facility on December 12 and involved three men who were all contractors for Film-Ocean Ltd, a subsea contractor company headquartered on the Balmacassie Commercial Park in Ellon.
A spokesman said: “Film-Ocean Ltd can regretfully confirm one person has been fatally wounded and another has been injured following a non-work-related incident on an offshore installation off Qatar.
“A third person has been taken into police custody and is assisting Qatari authorities with their inquiries.
“The injured worker received treatment in hospital in Qatar, but has since been released.
“The next of kin of those involved have been informed, and the company is working to ensure they receive the appropriate support.
“All three personnel were contracted to Film-Ocean and were working on the platform at the time of the incident, which was reported around 0140hrs Arabia Standard Time on Monday December 12.
“Film-Ocean is liaising with the Foreign and Commonwealth and Development Office, as well as other stakeholders, to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
“The company will be making no further statement at this time, and the families of those involved have requested that their privacy is respected.
Unconfirmed rumours circulating on social media
The Aberdeenshire company is supporting North Oil Company’s operations in Qatar.
Alleged circumstances of the incident have been widely circulated on social media as well as WhatsApp.
Posts and messages have claimed that the man who has been detained is from the Aberdeen area and suggests that everyone involved is Scottish.
Others have said that the three men had been sharing the same sleeping quarters on the Seafox Burj, where a body was discovered on Monday.
The Press and Journal has confirmed that some of the details being circulated on social media are false.
Three Britons involved
An official at Qatar’s Ministry of the Interior added: “Law enforcement authorities are investigating a 12 December incident at an offshore facility.
“The incident involved three British nationals working for a contractor company.
“One individual sustained fatal injuries, another was hospitalised and released.
“A third individual has been detained as part of a criminal investigation by the relevant authorities.”
A spokesman for the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) said: “We are supporting the family of a British man who has died and a man who has been injured in Qatar and are in contact with the local authorities”.
The FCDO would not comment on the Briton who is being held by Qatari authorities in connection with the incident.