Three Qatari diplomats were killed and two others injured in a road accident on Saturday (October 11, 2025) while travelling to Egypt’s Red Sea resort town of Sharm el-Sheikh, health officials said. The diplomats were part of Qatar’s protocol team heading to the city for a high-level international summit celebrating the recently brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
Vehicle overturns near Sharm el-Sheikh
According to Egyptian health authorities, the accident occurred about 50 kilometres from Sharm el-Sheikh when the diplomats’ vehicle overturned on a desert highway. Rescue teams and ambulances were rushed to the spot, and the injured were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Officials said all the victims were members of the Qatari protocol delegation tasked with preparing for the summit. “Two diplomats survived with injuries, while three died on the spot due to severe impact,” a local medical officer said on condition of anonymity, as they were not authorised to brief the media.
Diplomats were travelling for peace summit preparations
The Qatari delegation was en route to Sharm el-Sheikh ahead of the peace summit marking the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. Qatar, along with Egypt and the United States, played a key mediating role in achieving the truce, which included the release of Israeli hostages and hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.
Turkiye also participated in the negotiations held earlier this month in the Egyptian resort city. The upcoming summit aims to consolidate the ceasefire agreement and outline steps toward long-term regional stability.
Summit to host global leaders
According to a statement from the Egyptian presidency, the Sharm el-Sheikh summit will be co-chaired by President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi and U.S. President Donald Trump. The event will bring together more than two dozen world leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, and UN Secretary General António Guterres.
The gathering is expected to focus on post-war reconstruction in Gaza, humanitarian aid coordination, and regional cooperation to prevent further escalation.
Qatar’s key role in mediation
Qatar has been at the forefront of peace efforts in the Middle East, often serving as a neutral mediator in regional conflicts. Its diplomats were instrumental in facilitating the latest ceasefire talks, working closely with Cairo and Washington.
The deaths of the three Qatari officials are being viewed as a tragic loss for Doha’s diplomatic mission, coming just days before the crucial summit they helped prepare.
Egyptian authorities have launched an investigation into the accident to determine whether speeding, driver fatigue, or road conditions contributed to the crash.
Mourning and condolences
Qatar’s Foreign Ministry is yet to release an official statement, but diplomatic sources said the government is coordinating with Egyptian authorities to repatriate the bodies. Messages of condolence have poured in from across the region, recognising the diplomats’ service in advancing peace and dialogue.
The tragic incident has cast a sombre mood over the preparations for the Sharm el-Sheikh summit, which remains scheduled to proceed as planned.