Qatari Military Helicopter Crashes After 'technical Malfunction', 6 Killed

New Delhi: At least six people were killed after a Qatari military helicopter crashed in the Gulf country’s territorial waters following a "technical malfunction," the defence ministry said on Sunday.

What did the ministry say?

Qatar's Defense Ministry on Sunday said that a military helicopter had suffered a "technical malfunction" during a routine mission and crashed in the country's regional waters.

"A Qatari helicopter had a technical malfunction during a routine duty, which led to its crash in the regional waters of the state," the ministry wrote in an X post.

تعلن وزارة الدفاع القطرية عن تعرض طائرة مروحية قطرية إلى عطل فني أثناء تأدية واجب روتيني، مما أدى إلى سقوطها في المياه الإقليمية للدولة، وجاري البحث عن طاقمها والركاب.

The Ministry of Defense of State of Qatar announces that a Qatari helicopter had technical malfunction during a… pic.twitter.com/5yaYHa6KoW

— وزارة الدفاع - دولة قطر (@MOD_Qatar) March 22, 2026

What about the people?

Qatar’s Interior Ministry on Sunday said that at least six people were killed in a helicopter crash in Qatar's territorial waters 

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.

According to Qatar’s interior ministry, specialised teams were actively involved in the rescue efforts.

"The Ministry of Interior announces that its specialised teams are conducting search and rescue operations in the country’s territorial waters following a helicopter crash reported by the Ministry of Defence," the statement read.

The Ministry of Interior announces that its specialized teams are carrying out search and rescue operations in the country’s territorial waters, following a helicopter crash, as reported by the Ministry of Defense.
These operations are being carried out in close coordination by…

— Ministry of Interior - Qatar (@MOI_QatarEn) March 22, 2026

"These operations are being carried out in close coordination with the Maritime Search and Rescue Team of the General Directorate of Coasts and Borders Security, as well as the Qatar International Search and Rescue Group of the Internal Security Force," the interior ministry stated.