Saudi Arabian oil giant Aramco is under mounting scrutiny after a helicopter crash killed 14 people and amid a health crisis linked to its Motiva refinery in Texas.
The Aramco-owned helicopter crashed in the eastern coastal city of Ras Tanura at 06:00 local time on Sunday.
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All 14 victims were Saudi citizens, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
Investigations are underway to determine the cause of the accident.
The Saudi energy ministry expressed condolences to the families, while Aramco has not yet commented on the incident.
According to Reuters, Aramco had resumed crude oil loading at the Ras Tanura facility on Friday after an almost four-month suspension due to ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
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Texas Refinery Health Complaints
Across the Atlantic, Aramco faces backlash over its Motiva oil refinery in Port Arthur, Texas. Acquired in 2017, it is the largest oil refinery in the United States.
Residents report widespread exposure to toxic emissions and a sharp rise in serious health issues.
Local cancer rates exceed state averages, and childhood asthma rates are nearly double the national average.
The Guardian reports that Port Arthur is the poorest city in Texas, with nearly 30 percent of the population living below the poverty line and a median household income of $27,700.
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Local activist Hilton Kelley stated that contamination prevents residents from safely growing food. Regulatory records show the refinery frequently commits environmental violations, including unauthorized pollutant emissions.
