Moscow: After their vessel was stuck earlier this week near Russia, killing the Egyptian captain, eight Egyptian sailors were repatriated, authorities said Friday.

According to Anadolu Agency, the Foreign Ministry stated that the vessel, identified as the M/Noran, was hit near a port in southwestern Russia on September 13. Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty instructed the Egyptian Embassy in Moscow to follow up on the incident and provide consular assistance to the Egyptian sailors aboard the vessel.

The embassy facilitated the return of eight Egyptian sailors to the country, as per the statement. The ministry also confirmed the death of the Egyptian captain aboard the vessel. Abdelatty further instructed the ministry's consular sector to remain in contact with the captain's family and keep them informed about efforts by the Egyptian Embassy in Moscow to recover his body and return it to Egypt.

The ministry indicated that the recovery operation will proceed once conditions stabilize in the area where the vessel is located, noting ongoing military operations there. The Egyptian statement did not identify who carried out the strike or specify the extent of damage to the vessel.

Russian media outlets, including RT, have reported that the cargo vessel Noran, operated by an Egyptian company and with a crew largely comprising Egyptian sailors, came under an intensive aerial attack involving six Ukrainian drones shortly after leaving Russia's Black Sea port of Novorossiysk. As of 1920GMT, there has been no immediate comment from Ukraine on the reports.