The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the death of an Azerbaijani citizen as a result of a drone strike on a vessel in the Black Sea

On September 5, in the Black Sea, near the coast of Romania, the foreign cargo vessel Royad Mammadov was attacked by a drone.

As reported by the press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan (MFA), according to the information received, an Azerbaijani citizen — the ship's captain Rustam Ismayil oglu Hasanov, born in 1974 — was killed as a result of the attack. Another Azerbaijani citizen — Muhammad Hamza oglu Sulejmanzade, born in 2002 — is listed as missing. Search operations are currently underway.

The remaining Azerbaijani citizens who were part of the ship's crew were rescued. Three of them have been hospitalized.

In connection with the incident, the MFA is coordinating efforts with the country's diplomatic missions and the competent authorities of the relevant states. Necessary measures are being taken to provide citizens with medical and consular assistance, as well as to carry out the appropriate procedures for repatriating the bodies of the deceased.

The ministry extends its deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of the deceased citizens and wishes the injured a speedy recovery.

The MFA of Azerbaijan once again urges citizens to refrain from traveling to regions where military operations are ongoing and the security situation remains unstable, as well as from working in the territory of such regions and on transport vehicles, especially on vessels traveling along dangerous routes.