Nauru's Minister of Transport and Health, Valdon Dowiyogo, has died suddenly in Russia.
There are no details yet about the cause of his death but it is known he had been suffering poor health for some time.
Mr Dowiyogo, who is the son of a former president of Nauru, was 48 years old.
He was in Russia on government business and the government information office reports Foreign Minister David Adeang is to accompany the body home.
