Baku:An Azerbaijani captain was killed and another crew member is missing following a drone attack on the foreign cargo ship "Royad Mammadov" in the Black Sea near Romania, according to Azerbaijan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, the attack resulted in the death of Rustam Ismail oglu Hasanov, the ship's Azerbaijani captain. Another Azerbaijani crew member, Mahammad Hamza oglu Suleymanzade, is reported missing, and search operations are ongoing to locate him.

The ministry stated that other Azerbaijani crew members were rescued, with three requiring hospitalization. Coordination is underway between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, diplomatic missions, and relevant authorities to ensure the provision of medical and consular support. Efforts are also being made to repatriate the body of the deceased captain.

The ministry has extended condolences to the families of the victims and wishes for a swift recovery of the injured. It has also advised Azerbaijani citizens to avoid traveling to areas with ongoing military conflicts and unstable security environments, and to refrain from working in or traveling through these regions, especially on ships.