The head of Russian diplomacy in Mozambique, Alexander Surikov, lost his life on Saturday night at his home in the city of Maputo.

Until the information was released to the press, the causes and circumstances of the incident were unknown.

It is known that by order of the Russian authorities, any kind of forensic intervention to determine the cause of death was forbidden.

À Radio MozambiqueThe press officer at the Russian embassy, Polina Sukova, said that the embassy's medical staff pointed to a stroke as the cause of Alexander Surikov's sudden death.

"With great regret, I would like to confirm his death. He died yesterday [Saturday] night, suddenly, at his home and it was possibly because of the stroke," she said, noting, however, that the suspicion has not yet been confirmed. "But according to the embassy doctor, it was the stroke."

She said that the ambassador's wife is in the residence and the rest of the family is in Russia. She assured us that the consulate is dealing with all the issues for the transfer of the body.

"In fact, we are very shocked because no one expected the death of the ambassador. I'm very sorry, and it's a great loss for us," he said.

In a note on social media, the embassy expressed its regret at Surikov's death and said that a book of condolences would be open at the embassy and via email between today and tomorrow.

Alexander Surikov was 68 years old and had been appointed by Vladimir Putin to the post of ambassador to Mozambique in 2017.