Russia's ambassador to Sudan has reportedly died of a heart attack, becoming the eighth Russian diplomat to pass away unexpectedly in the past 10 months.

Mirgayas Shirinsky, 62, was found dead on Wednesday at his Khartoum residence.

Maria Zakharova, Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman, told journalists on Thursday that the ambassador had been “found with signs of an acute heart attack”.

“Embassy employees called a doctor, but unfortunately he was unable to save (Mr) Shirinsky,” she said.

Police told AFP he had “died while he was swimming in his pool at his house” but that an initial investigation had ruled out foul play. Mr Shirinsky is at least the eighth foreign ministry official to die since late last year.