Spokesman for Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry Aykhan Hajizada has said that all eight Azerbaijani citizens aboard the cargo vessel CHELSEA-3 were rescued after the ship came under a drone attack in the Black Sea early on October 13.

The attack occurred at approximately 1:30 a.m., about 18 nautical miles east of the Bulgarian city of Byala, according to the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry.

One of the Azerbaijani crew members, Ramin Gambarli, 33, is currently receiving treatment at a military hospital in Varna, Bulgaria.

The other seven Azerbaijani citizens underwent initial medical examinations, and their condition is reported to be satisfactory.

"Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry is coordinating with the country’s diplomatic mission and the relevant Bulgarian authorities to provide medical and consular assistance and arrange the crew members’ safe return home," Hajizada said.

The spokesman also renewed the ministry’s call for Azerbaijani citizens to avoid traveling to areas affected by armed conflict or instability. He urged them to refrain from working in such areas or aboard transport vessels operating along dangerous routes, particularly in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov.