UN nuclear watchdog's chief dies at age 72

ANKARA

Yukiya Amano, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), has passed away at age 72, the agency announced on Monday.

"The Secretariat of the International Atomic Energy Agency regrets to inform with deepest sadness of the passing away of Director General Yukiya Amano," the agency said in a statement.

It said the IAEA flag will be lowered to half-mast.

Amano was Japan's resident representative to the agency from 2005 until his election as director general in 2009.

EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini expressed grief over Amano's passing.

"A man of extraordinary dedication & professionalism, always at the service of the global community in the most impartial way. I’ll never forget the work done together. It has been for me a great pleasure & privilege working with him," she wrote on Twitter.

The Turkish Foreign Ministry also mourned the loss.

“On this sad occasion of Director General Amano’s passing away, who was always in close cooperation with Turkey during his tenure, we wish to extend our condolences to his family, the Japanese Government, and the IAEA community,” said a ministry message.