ISLAMABAD:
Maria Golovnina, the Pakistan and Afghanistan bureau chief of Reuters who was based in Islamabad, was found dead at her office-cum-residence in the capital’s F-8 sector, sources in the police reported.
Golovnina had reportedly gone to the toilet, and had not stepped out for a long time when concerned co-workers barged in and found her lying on the floor, covered in vomit.
She was rushed to Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) where she was pronounced dead.
The hospital will carry out a postmortem before handing over the body to Russian authorities.
The cause of Golovnina’s death could not be determined immediately and authorities have launched an investigation to ascertain the facts of the case.
Pakistan Foreign Office Spokesperson expressed sorrow over the journalist’s death on Twitter:
Very sad news about Reuters Bureau Chief Maria Golovnina's death. A young bright person gone so soon
— SpokespersonMOFA (@ForeignOfficePk) February 23, 2015