Türkiye's ambassador to Portugal passes away during vacation

MUGLA, Türkiye (AA) - Türkiye's Ambassador to Portugal Murat Karagoz died in a local hospital on Friday after collapsing while swimming in the sea in the southwestern Turkish province of Mugla.

Karagoz, who was on vacation in Mugla's Fethiye district, went unconscious while swimming in the sea early on Friday. He was rescued and taken to Fethiye State Hospital, where he died, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Karagoz is believed to have died of a heart attack, and his body was sent to Mugla Forensic Medicine Institution for an autopsy.

Former Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu expressed his sorrow over the ambassador’s death in a social media post, saying, "We are deeply saddened by the loss of our esteemed colleague, Ambassador Murat Karagoz, with whom we had a close working relationship.

“We will remember him as a cheerful, hardworking, and selfless person. I share the grief of his precious family and extend my condolences to his loved ones. May his soul rest in peace."