AZE.US
Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry has revised the number of Azerbaijani citizens killed and injured in a drone attack on two cargo ships in the Sea of Azov, saying four citizens were killed and four others were wounded.
The attack hit the cargo vessels Natra and Zirkon on June 5. The ships were not Azerbaijani-owned, but their crews included Azerbaijani nationals.
According to the ministry, 25 Azerbaijani citizens were aboard the two vessels.
Earlier reports said five Azerbaijani citizens had been killed and three injured. The ministry said one of the people initially listed among the Azerbaijani dead was later identified as a Russian citizen and was not of Azerbaijani origin.
The bodies of two Azerbaijani citizens have been recovered. They were identified as Rajab Ahadov, born in 1976, and Muhammad Aliyev, born in 1997.
Azerbaijani authorities are working to repatriate their remains.
Two other Azerbaijani citizens reported dead were aboard the Zirkon, which remains at the site of the strike because of an explosion risk. Russian rescue teams are carrying out safety measures before the vessel can be brought to port.
The Foreign Ministry said final information on the fate of the two citizens would be available after search operations are completed.
The injured Azerbaijani citizens were taken to a hospital in the Russian city of Yeysk.
Samid Ibadzade and Rashad Madatkhanov, both born in 1998, have been discharged from the hospital. Emin Valekhov, born in 2002, and Namig Jafarli, born in 1999, are in stable condition and are expected to be released after completing treatment.
Azerbaijani Embassy staff in Russia are in the area and are providing consular support to the survivors.
The ministry said all Azerbaijani citizens rescued after the attack have been placed in a hotel in Yeysk and are in contact with their families. Those who intend to return to Azerbaijan and lost their documents have been issued emergency travel certificates.
Russia has blamed Ukraine for the attack. Ukraine earlier said its drones had struck several ships in the Sea of Azov area, saying the vessels were involved in transporting stolen Ukrainian grain and military supplies.
Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry said it is keeping the matter under special control and coordinating with relevant authorities.
AZE.US