Approximately 28 people were killed and more were injured on Sunday as a gas pipeline burst into flames in eastern Saudi Arabia.

The Haradh-Uthmaniyah pipeline caught fire at about 18 miles from the Hiwiyah Gas Plant, Saudi Aramco, the state oil conglomerate, told CNN.

The tragic incident occurred while contract workers were linking a new pipe to the line, the Saudi national oil company Aramco said Sunday. Five Aramco workers perished in the blaze.

The number of those injured by the flames was not specified in the statement issued by the company nor was the nationality of those suffering from burns. According to western diplomats, most of those who died in the accident were Asian and at least one was Lebanese.

"The company is taking all necessary measures to guarantee the continuation of the normal gas output," the company’s statement said. Saudi Aramco is Saudi Arabia's national oil company and also the world's largest oil producer.

The Hawiyah plant generates 310,000 barrels of ethane and liquefied natural gas per day and the Hawiyah program will produce 310,000 barrels of ethane and NGL products by 2008.

According to the company’s statement regarding the unfortunate incident, the fire was most likely caused by a gas leak and the western diplomats agreed.

"It appears to be an accident rather than an act of sabotage," one diplomat said.

Saudi Arabia's economy is Petroleum-based. Approximately 75% of budget revenues and 90% of export earnings come from the oil industry. The oil industry comprises about 45% of Saudi Arabia's gross domestic product, compared with 40% from the private sector.

Saudi Arabia officially has about 260 billion barrels of oil reserves, covering about 24% of the world's proven total petroleum reserves.