Tributes pour in for 'kind, beautiful' British man "bludgeoned to death" on Qatar oil rig as he is named for first time
16 December 2022, 20:22
The family of a British man who was "bludgeoned to death" on a Qatar oil rig have paid tribute to his "kind, beautiful soul".
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Robert Robson, of Tyne and Wear, was working on the Seafox Burj oil rig off the coast of the Gulf state when he died following the incident in the early hours of Monday.
A second Brit was also treated in hospital for injuries, while a third was detained by the authorities.
All three men were contractors working for Film-Ocean, an underwater inspection company based in Ellon, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.
Mr Robson's family have released a tribute as well as a photograph showing him with his partner Kristie Graham.
They said: "Robbie was an amazing, one-of-a-kind, beautiful soul.
"He was a loving partner, dad, son, brother and uncle who was tragically taken too soon.
"He was an irreplaceable friend to many, and Robbie will be sorely missed by everyone that knew him.
"As a family, we request privacy at this time."
Film-Ocean said in a statement: "Film-Ocean Ltd can regretfully confirm one person has been fatally wounded and another has been injured following a non-work related incident on an offshore installation off Qatar.
"A third person has been taken into police custody and is assisting Qatari authorities with their inquiries.
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"The injured worker received treatment in hospital in Qatar, but has since been released.
"The next-of-kin of those involved have been informed, and the company is working to ensure they receive the appropriate support.
"All three personnel were contracted to Film-Ocean and were working on the platform at the time of the incident, which was reported around 0140hrs Arabia Standard Time on Monday, December 12.
"Film-Ocean is liaising with the Foreign and Commonwealth and Development Office, as well as other stakeholders, to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident."
A FCDO spokeswoman said: "We are supporting the families of a British man who has died and a man who has been injured in Qatar and are in contact with the local authorities."
"Apparently, one guy battered another worker with a breathing apparatus bottle," a co-worker said.
"We were told he then wrapped him up in the bed sheet, put him in the bathroom and went for his dinner.
"A third guy saw him and asked how the now dead man was and said he was going to see him. We heard he followed him back to the room and then hit him over the head and started to strangle him, but he managed to escape and get help."
Police were flown to the rig via helicopter and locked it down while they carry out their investigations.
The Times said another worker said: "We were told that a third guy came back and found one man was dead and that his body was wrapped in a bed sheet in the toilet."
It is thought the person responsible was going to try to throw him overboard before getting on a chopper that same night.
One worker added: "It's a situation that I don't think anyone in this industry has experienced. It was a murder and attempted murder on the rig."
One oil worker told The Sun: "Everyone in the industry is talking about this. I can't get my head round it. I've never heard of anything like it in my life."
