In the early hours of Sunday, October 12, 2025, tragedy struck near Egypt’s Red Sea resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh when a car carrying members of Qatar’s Amiri Diwan, the highest administrative office of the Qatari government, overturned on a remote section of highway. The accident, which occurred roughly 50 kilometers (31 miles) from the city, claimed the lives of three Qatari officials and left two others injured, according to statements from the Qatari Embassy in Cairo and multiple international news outlets, including Reuters and The Times of Israel.
The deceased were identified by the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs as Saud bin Nasser Al Thani, Abdullah Ghanem Al-Khulaifi, and Hassan Jaber Al-Jaber. The two injured officials, Abdullah Issa Al-Kuwari and Mohammed Abdulaziz Al-Buainain, were rushed to Sharm el-Sheikh International Hospital, where they continue to receive medical care. In a heartfelt message posted on X (formerly Twitter), the Qatari Embassy in Cairo expressed its “deepest sorrow over the death of three members of the Amiri Diwan and is following up on the conditions of the injured in a traffic accident in Sharm El-Sheikh.”
The embassy further stated, “The Embassy of the State of Qatar in Cairo extends its heartfelt condolences and sincere sympathies to the families of the deceased, praying that God envelops them in His vast mercy, accepts them in Paradise, and grants the injured a speedy recovery.” The bodies of the deceased and the injured were to be repatriated to Doha later that day on a Qatari aircraft, with the embassy coordinating closely with Egyptian authorities to facilitate the process.
According to two security sources cited by Reuters, the accident happened when the Qatari officials’ vehicle overturned on a curve along the main road between Sharm el-Sheikh and Taba, in South Sinai. The diplomats, described as security guards and protocol officers by The Times of Israel, were part of the advance team for Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani. They were traveling ahead of a high-level international summit scheduled for Monday, October 13, 2025, in Sharm el-Sheikh—a gathering expected to finalize a ceasefire agreement in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
The summit, co-chaired by Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi and U.S. President Donald Trump, is set to bring together leaders and representatives from more than 20 countries. Its primary aim: to solidify the fragile ceasefire that had been brokered earlier in the week through indirect talks involving Qatar, Egypt, Turkey, and the United States. These negotiations, held in Sharm el-Sheikh, culminated in a temporary halt to hostilities, the release of hostages, and the freeing of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners—marking a significant step in efforts to end the war in Gaza and restore stability to the Middle East.
The Egyptian presidential statement described the summit’s broader goals as seeking to “end the war in the Gaza Strip, enhance efforts to bring peace and stability to the Middle East, and usher in a new phase of regional security and stability.” The tragic accident, however, has cast a somber shadow over the proceedings, highlighting the personal risks and sacrifices made by diplomats and government officials engaged in the pursuit of peace.
Initial reports in some media outlets suggested that the victims of the crash were members of Qatar’s negotiating team. However, The Times of Israel clarified, citing a source familiar with the matter, that the deceased were actually security guards and protocol officers, not direct negotiators. This distinction, while subtle, underscores the breadth of personnel involved in such high-stakes diplomatic efforts—many of whom work behind the scenes to ensure the safety and smooth operation of international summits.
The accident occurred just days after the conclusion of the indirect ceasefire talks, which had drawn together officials from Qatar, Turkey, and Egypt. According to Reuters, these negotiations were instrumental in paving the way for the upcoming summit and represented the first phase of a broader U.S.-backed plan to resolve the Gaza conflict. The involvement of multiple regional and international actors, including Turkey, further underscored the complexity and urgency of the diplomatic mission.
Sharm el-Sheikh, long known as a hub for international diplomacy and peace talks, found itself once again at the center of global attention. The city’s preparations for the summit were captured in images showing tourists and workers near Peace Square, with heightened security and logistical arrangements visible throughout the area. The anticipation surrounding the summit was palpable, with many hoping that the gathering would yield concrete steps toward a lasting peace in Gaza and the wider Middle East.
For Qatar, the loss of three Amiri Diwan employees in the line of duty was not only a personal tragedy but also a reminder of the country’s prominent role in regional diplomacy. The Qatari embassy’s prompt response, including the coordination of medical care for the injured and the repatriation of the deceased, drew praise from Egyptian authorities, who provided logistical support and facilitated the necessary procedures.
In its official statement, the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs extended condolences to the families of the deceased and offered prayers for the swift recovery of the injured. The embassy also publicly thanked Egyptian authorities for their cooperation and support in handling the incident, emphasizing the spirit of solidarity that often emerges in the face of such tragedies.
While the identities of the deceased—Saud bin Nasser Al Thani, Abdullah Ghanem Al-Khulaifi, and Hassan Jaber Al-Jaber—will be forever linked to this somber episode, their service as part of Qatar’s protocol and security apparatus underscores the often-unseen contributions of those who support the machinery of international diplomacy. As preparations for the summit continued, their colleagues and families mourned their loss, even as the world’s attention remained fixed on the potential for peace in Gaza.
The car crash near Sharm el-Sheikh serves as a poignant reminder that the pursuit of diplomacy is not without its dangers. For those who travel far from home to facilitate dialogue and broker agreements, the risks are real and the stakes are high. Yet, as the international community gathers in Sharm el-Sheikh to seek an end to one of the region’s most protracted conflicts, the memory of those lost in service to peace will linger—an indelible mark on a moment of both tragedy and hope.
