What to do and Who to call during an emergency in Azerbaijan

Emergency in Azerbaijan right now? Call 103 for an ambulance, 101 for firefighters or 102 for Police. The Ministry of Emergency Situations operates 112, a free 24-hour rescue and disaster hotline that can also help when the specialist numbers cannot be reached. Give the exact city or district, street or village and immediate danger. If a person is unconscious, threatened, trapped or seriously injured, call now instead of continuing to read.

This guide covers Baku, Sumgayit, Ganja, Lankaran, Quba, Sheki, the Absheron Peninsula, Nakhchivan, mountain districts, the Caspian coast and other parts of Azerbaijan. It puts emergency numbers and seven immediate actions first, then explains medical help, fire and Police response, heavy rain and flash floods, serious road accidents and the dangers of mines and unexploded ordnance in some post-conflict areas. Azerbaijan Ministry of Emergency Situations and Foreign Affairs sources and the UK’s current November 2026 travel advisory were checked on 7 November 2026.

Quick emergency numbers in Azerbaijan

103 — Ambulance / medical emergency: a person who is unconscious, not breathing normally, seriously injured, severely bleeding or experiencing dangerous symptoms.
101 — Firefighting service: a building, factory, vehicle or forest fire, dangerous smoke or emergency fire rescue.
102 — Police: violent threats, assaults, robbery in progress, crime-related danger or a suspected mine or explosive device reported from safety.
112 — Ministry of Emergency Situations (FHN): urgent disaster, rescue, fire, major accident, hazardous chemical, industrial, trapped-person or water-rescue incidents. The Ministry says to use it also if 102, 103 or 104 are inaccessible.
104 — gas emergency: a gas-supply or suspected leak issue. For fire, severe injury or imminent danger, also seek rescue or medical help through the appropriate urgent number.
152 — combating human trafficking: a specialist Ministry of Internal Affairs contact, not urgent Police dispatch during an attack.
Weather warnings and local authority directions: the National Hydrometeorological Service and FHN publish flood, wind, lightning and other hazard guidance; these do not substitute for requesting emergency response.

The United Kingdom’s current Azerbaijan emergency service guide confirms 101, 102 and 103. The Ministry of Emergency Situations’ official 112 telephone service confirms that 112 is free, works 24/7 and coordinates with competent services, including when other short emergency numbers cannot be reached. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ official emergency guidance separately confirms 103 and the 112 rescue role.

First 60 seconds: seven immediate actions

Move away from immediate danger when safe. Avoid smoke, fire, violent threats, traffic, floodwater, unstable slopes, live electricity and suspected explosive devices. Do not become an additional casualty.
Call the correct service. Dial 103 medical, 101 fire, 102 Police or 112 FHN rescue and disaster coordination. Describe any need for more than one responder.
Give the location first. State city or rayon, street and house, building entrance and floor, or a rural road, village, coastline or recognised landmark.
Explain what happened briefly. ‘One person is unconscious’, ‘smoke is filling a stairwell’, ‘a lorry crashed with injuries’, or ‘floodwater trapped a family’.
Count people and identify severe symptoms. Say who is injured, bleeding, not breathing normally, trapped, missing or unable to evacuate independently.
Answer the operator and follow instructions. Provide a callback number and explain any hazards or blocked roads. Do not invent facts or hang up before the necessary questions have been addressed.
Guide responders from a safe place. If possible, arrange a helper at the main entrance, road junction, port gate, beach access or village road.

A concise medical call: ‘Ambulance. One adult is unconscious at [road and building], [city and district], third floor, apartment [number]. My number is [telephone].’ An emergency operator needs a usable route to the patient, not a long unverified medical explanation. If you are at a remote site, use the known village, road and verified GPS coordinates, and state when the exact address is unknown.

What Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Emergency Situations 112 hotline does

The Fövqəladə Hallar Nazirliyi (FHN) handles rescue and emergency management. Its 112 hotline receives reports about natural and human-made disasters, fires, serious accidents, emergencies at industrial or construction sites, hazards involving chemicals or radioactive substances, people trapped indoors and urgent rescue in water bodies. It coordinates with appropriate response agencies and operates continuously.

The Ministry explicitly says 112 can be called when the direct numbers 102, 103 and 104 cannot be reached. This is important for a visitor who has only one working phone and is uncertain which rescue service should attend. It does not mean that the direct Police, medical and firefighting numbers ceased operating or that every call to 112 follows exactly the same process as a single-dispatch system elsewhere.

The official FHN 112 service page lists the categories, states that the line is toll-free and describes the supported telephone networks. If a phone has no usable compatible network, however, ordinary cellular emergency calling cannot create satellite coverage.

Medical emergencies: 103 is the dedicated ambulance line

A person collapses, is not breathing normally or may be having a stroke

Call 103 for unconsciousness, severe breathing difficulty, major bleeding, serious chest pain, one-sided weakness, speech disturbance, severe seizure, major trauma or another potentially life-threatening condition. State what you observe rather than trying to diagnose the illness. The dispatcher may ask about breathing, responsiveness, age, time of onset and whether road access is possible.

If someone is unresponsive and not breathing normally, follow dispatcher guidance and appropriate training for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and use of an automated external defibrillator (AED) if one is available. Ask a second helper to find the AED or guide the ambulance from a suitable entrance. Do not give food, drinks or medication to somebody who cannot swallow safely.

For serious injury after a traffic collision or fall, avoid unnecessary movement unless the current location is immediately dangerous due to traffic, fire, a collapsing structure or moving water. Describe the whole scene to dispatch, including any trapped passengers. A life-threatening emergency should not wait for insurance paperwork, a hospital choice or a translation of the person’s full medical history.

Medical access outside Baku

Ambulance and specialist medical capacity can differ between large cities and remote mountainous or rural locations. Do not promise a fixed response time or assume that an ambulance can reach every valley or hillside road. Give the closest drivable access, village, clinic, bridge or junction and state if a road has been blocked by snow, landslide or floodwater.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ official protocol guide confirms that emergency medical stations provide service around the clock using 103. It links to lists of healthcare facilities in Azerbaijan, which can help families plan ahead but are not a replacement for a call during immediate danger: MFA emergency medical guidance.

Fire, smoke and rescue: 101 or 112

Call 101 for an active building fire or dangerous smoke; 112 is also an appropriate Ministry of Emergency Situations route for fires and related rescue. Raise the alarm where safe, warn others and leave by a safe exit. Avoid ordinary elevators during an active fire, close doors behind you where possible and do not return for passports, luggage, cash or mobile equipment.

If smoke blocks the normal route, do not force yourself into an unsafe corridor or stairwell. Tell the operator your exact floor, room, window, balcony and building entrance, then follow the firefighters’ directions. An industrial warehouse, apartment tower and mountain lodge may require different rescue methods and access.

A suspected gas leak requires avoiding sparks, open flames and switches near the suspected source, moving to a safer area and contacting the relevant gas or emergency service. Where fire, major injury or imminent explosion danger exists, tell 112 and the appropriate fire or medical contact immediately. Do not approach unknown fumes merely to identify a label.

Police emergencies: 102

Dial 102 when an assault, armed threat, violent crime in progress, serious robbery or other immediate public-security danger requires Police intervention. Move to safety where possible and report the exact location, what is happening, injuries and weapons only if actually observed. Do not follow a dangerous person to obtain photographs or other evidence.

If a crime occurred earlier and nobody is currently at risk, the relevant local Police or official reporting service can advise how to make a routine report. A victim of violence may also require emergency medical help through 103. During an active threat, Police response and personal safety come before insurance or administrative paperwork.

Azerbaijan’s post-conflict landmine and unexploded ordnance risks

Landmines and unexploded ordnance remain dangerous in parts of south-western Azerbaijan. The UK Foreign Office’s current guidance advises against all but essential travel to certain districts affected by the conflicts in 2020 and 2023, while Azerbaijani authorities continue mine clearance. The affected districts specifically listed include Kalbajar, Lachin, Qubadli, Zangilan, Jabrayil, Fuzuli, Khojavand, Shusha, Khojali, Khankendi, Aghdam and Tartar.

Not every part of these districts presents identical risk, and relevant access restrictions and clearance activities change. However, a visitor should never assume that an old road, field, trail or structure is safe merely because it is shown on a map or another person walked through it. Keep to officially permitted routes, follow local authorities and avoid suspicious military objects, abandoned positions and unmarked ground.

The current UK regional risks page specifically says to report suspected landmines or unexploded weapons to 102 or 112. This is a vital distinction from countries where such a report would be a routine general enquiry. Do not wait until somebody is injured before notifying authorities from safety.

If you find a suspected mine, shell or other explosive object

Stop and keep your distance. Never touch, lift, shake, kick, cover, open or attempt to move the object.
Warn other people. Do not permit children, hikers or tourists to come closer for photographs.
Do not make unassessed steps across potentially dangerous ground. If you might already be in a hazardous area, seek specialist instructions before changing position.
Contact Police 102 or emergency rescue 112 from safety. Describe the known safe location, closest road or landmark and what is visible without approaching.
Do not attempt to mark or clear the object by entering risky ground. Trained clearance teams must assess it.
Respect barriers and access restrictions. A route that appears clear is not necessarily certified safe.
Stay available to answer the operator. If instructed to keep others away, do so from a safe position without obstructing qualified personnel.

Landmines and explosive remnants may be buried or concealed among debris. Do not attempt to test the ground with a stick or vehicle. The correct safety decision is to preserve life and contact competent authorities, not to investigate the object. The UK official advice is explicit: do not approach or touch a suspected explosive, record the known location from a safe place and notify 102 or 112.

Border restrictions near Armenia

The land border between Azerbaijan and Armenia remains closed in current UK travel guidance. The FCDO advises against all travel within 5 km of much of the border, with a specific geographical exception noted for the border of the Nakhchivan exclave. Do not assume a road, village track or walking route near the border can be used for travel without permission.

The current regional advisory also describes restrictions on entering some south-western districts and notes that authorisation may be needed from Azerbaijani authorities. These are access and safety issues rather than matters to resolve by taking an unmarked detour. Check the latest official travel rules and local directions, especially where mine clearance is ongoing. Source: UK FCDO Azerbaijan border guidance.

Earthquake safety

Earthquakes can occur in Azerbaijan and the wider Caucasus. During strong shaking, lower yourself, protect your head and neck with suitable cover, and remain away from glass, unstable shelving and objects likely to fall. Do not rush down a stairwell or leave a building during the strongest shaking. Outdoors, move clear of unstable structures and power lines if safe.

After shaking stops, check for injury, cracked staircases, falling masonry, gas smells, power hazards and aftershocks. A damaged building may require evacuation following competent instructions. Do not use a damaged elevator or return into an unsafe building merely to retrieve property. For trapped or critically injured people, request the appropriate emergency rescue or ambulance response.

A regional earthquake warning or news report does not tell you whether a particular property is structurally safe. If authorities close a road or building, follow that restriction. The UK Government’s natural hazards and local safety guidance describes earthquakes as a recognised regional risk.

Heavy rain and flash floods: October 2026 FHN guidance

On 2 October 2026, the Ministry of Emergency Situations warned that unstable weather could cause heavy rain in Baku and Absheron, local flooding, short-lived flooding and flash floods in mountain rivers. It advised people to avoid dangerous low areas, move to higher ground when flooding threatens and follow the instructions of rescue services.

Do not drive into an underpass or river crossing covered by moving or unknown water. A shallow-looking road may conceal a washed-out surface, open drain, electrical hazard or fast current. Do not enter a flooded basement to rescue a car or touch wet electrical switches. If someone is trapped or seriously injured, call 112 and describe the location, water level, number of people and safest remaining approach.

The FHN’s October 2026 flood and storm notice also advises against small boat trips during dangerous weather and warns of power lines and structures during strong winds. That specific notice described a past forecast window, not a currently active warning for every locality in November. Always check current weather and authority instructions.

Lightning, strong wind and severe weather

During a thunderstorm, seek shelter in a substantial building or appropriately enclosed vehicle. Avoid open water, exposed ridges, isolated tall trees and areas beneath power lines or damaged structures. Strong wind can dislodge roof elements, advertising signs and branches. Do not walk under unstable objects to take photographs or film a storm.

The Ministry’s safety advice says small vessel operators should respect marine warnings, and people should remain away from electrical infrastructure during strong storms. A temporary road closure or ferry restriction can be a life-safety decision, not an inconvenience to override with a shortcut. Consult current forecasts and warnings from the Azerbaijan National Hydrometeorological Service: National Hydrometeorological Service.

Wildfires, mountain slopes and forest roads

Dry and windy periods can increase wildfire hazards in forested and rural parts of Azerbaijan. Report dangerous vegetation fire or smoke through 101 or 112 and identify the closest village, forest road or mountain landmark. Avoid campfires or spark-producing activities when local restrictions apply. Do not drive toward a wildfire to photograph it or test whether a road is passable.

If a wildfire threatens houses or authorities direct evacuation, leave promptly by the approved safe route. Keep essential medication, identification and mobility needs ready when a warning applies. A fast-moving fire can block access roads ahead of visible flames. A person with severe breathing problems after smoke exposure needs medical assistance via 103.

Mountain rescue, snow, mudslides and remote areas

The Greater and Lesser Caucasus and other mountain districts have steep roads, rapidly changing weather and difficult rescue access. If a hiker is lost, injured or trapped, request rescue through 112 and describe the named trail, village, route, last known position, nearby road and number of people. If the person is critically ill, direct ambulance 103 may also be relevant.

In winter, snow and ice can close mountain passes. Avoid following an ordinary navigation app onto an unmaintained route when local authorities have closed roads. A rescue vehicle may need a different approach from a small car. Tell the operator whether the incident is above a village, below a pass or on the other side of a blocked bridge.

Do not enter a dangerous landslide, avalanche slope or unstable rock area for an untrained rescue. Share your itinerary and expected return time with someone you trust before travelling to remote locations, and carry appropriate warm clothing, water, navigation, light and a charged phone.

Caspian coast and maritime emergencies

For a serious boating or water-rescue incident on the Caspian Sea, call the relevant emergency service and explain that maritime rescue is needed. The FHN’s 112 hotline expressly covers rescue needs in water reservoirs and other emergencies. Provide the harbour, marina, beach, vessel name or nearest coastline, number of people and verified coordinates if available.

Do not enter dangerous surf or water near moving vessels in an untrained rescue attempt. If someone has been recovered from water but is unconscious or breathing abnormally, urgent medical help via 103 remains necessary. A safe helper who can meet responders at a marina gate or beach access may be particularly useful.

Road crashes and traffic hazards

A serious road collision may require Police, ambulance and firefighting assistance. Give the highway or road, travel direction, nearest junction, bridge, kilometre marker or village, and whether anyone is injured, trapped or exposed to fuel. Do not stand in active traffic lanes to photograph the collision or approach leaking fuel or damaged high-voltage components.

If somebody has severe trauma, avoid moving them unnecessarily unless immediate danger requires relocation. A non-injury breakdown may be handled through ordinary road assistance; a vehicle fire or person not breathing normally requires emergency help first. When a road is blocked, explain the nearest access from the safe side rather than assuming the dispatcher can reach the crash directly.

Heat, illness and vulnerable people

Hot weather can be especially dangerous for infants, older people, outdoor workers and those with certain health conditions. Move someone with symptoms into a safe cooler place, begin suitable cooling and offer fluids only if fully awake and able to swallow. Severe confusion, collapse, seizures or serious breathing difficulty require urgent medical assessment on 103.

Do not force water or tablets into an unconscious person’s mouth. Check on elderly neighbours or relatives who may have limited access to cooling, and know the safest way to contact emergency services if their condition deteriorates. A routine hot day does not itself require an ambulance, but severe symptoms do.

Assistance for trafficking, exploitation and family safety

Azerbaijan’s national emergency contacts include 152 for the Ministry of Internal Affairs’ specialist work combating human trafficking. It is intended for information and reporting about trafficking-related offences. It is not the most direct contact when a person is under immediate violent attack or critically injured, in which case Police 102 and medical 103 are priorities.

If someone faces ongoing violence, move them toward a safer place where possible and use a working urgent Police route. A specialist or social service can help with longer-term protection after the immediate danger has been addressed. Do not encourage the person to confront an aggressor or record their own abuse while in danger.

Useful Azerbaijani phrases

‘Kömək!’ — Help!
‘Mənə təcili yardım lazımdır.’ — I need an ambulance.
‘Yanğın var.’ — There is a fire.
‘Polisi çağırın.’ — Call the Police.
‘Şəxs huşsuzdur.’ — The person is unconscious.
‘Normal nəfəs almır.’ — The person is not breathing normally.
‘Ünvan budur…’ — The address is…
‘İngilis dilində danışırsınız?’ — Do you speak English?

Azerbaijani is the official language, and some services or local helpers may also speak Russian or English. Language assistance cannot be promised for every call. Save your hotel or home address in Azerbaijani spelling, state the short emergency facts and ask a safe local person to help with a street or village name when necessary. Do not postpone life-saving help to perfect a translation.

How to report an address and location in Azerbaijan

City and rayon: Baku, Ganja, Sumgayit, Sheki, Lankaran or the relevant district and municipality.
Road and building: küçə or prospekt, house number, apartment entrance, staircase, floor and flat.
Major road: route name or number, direction, junction, bridge or kilometre marker.
Mountain: district, village, trail or road, last known hut and verified coordinates.
Coastal location: Caspian beach, harbour, jetty, marina or vessel details.
Suspected mine: report the last safely known road or landmark without approaching the object for a closer pin.
Callback: telephone number, signal quality and any blocked road or entry.

Household and visitor emergency planning

Save 103 Ambulance, 101 Fire, 102 Police and 112 FHN Rescue with clear labels and purposes.
Add the gas emergency line 104 to a separate utility contact list.
Write the complete address in local language, including district, floor and safe building entrance.
Identify a suitable fire escape, an outdoor meeting point and available AED locations in a workplace or hotel.
Check travel restrictions and verified mine-cleared routes before visiting former conflict areas.
Review current severe weather and flash-flood warnings before entering mountain valleys or coastal waters.
Keep medication, identification, drinking water, a torch, charged power bank and suitable clothing readily available.
Plan how children, older adults and people with mobility, hearing or powered medical equipment needs can receive help.
Keep an accessible family contact and a simple plan if electricity or mobile networks fail.

Common mistakes to avoid

Assuming 112 is the sole number used by all agencies and forgetting the published direct 101, 102 and 103 lines.
Calling a gas utility service instead of ambulance dispatch when somebody has collapsed.
Entering a suspected minefield or handling unexploded ordnance to remove it from a footpath.
Travelling into a restricted south-western district without checking required permissions and safe routes.
Giving only ‘Baku’ or ‘Quba’ instead of an actual street, building entrance or road.
Using an October flood alert as though it describes conditions for every location in November.
Driving into unknown floodwater or dangerous storm surf to keep a travel plan.
Waiting for insurance paperwork, a photograph or a language translator before calling emergency services.

Frequently asked questions

What is Azerbaijan’s ambulance emergency number?

103, confirmed by the Foreign Ministry and current UK travel guidance.

What are the fire and Police numbers?

101 firefighters and 102 Police. The Ministry of Emergency Situations also operates its 112 rescue hotline.

Is 112 free in Azerbaijan?

Yes. The Ministry of Emergency Situations confirms that 112 is toll-free and operates 24 hours daily.

When should I call 112 rather than a specialist line?

For disasters, serious rescue, industrial or chemical hazards, trapped people, major accidents or when 102, 103 or 104 cannot be accessed. Use the dedicated medical or Police number for direct urgent needs.

Are there still mine risks?

Yes. The UK’s current November 2026 advice warns about landmines and unexploded ordnance in some south-western areas. Stay on authorised routes and do not touch suspicious objects.

Who should receive a report about an unexploded shell?

The UK Government specifically identifies 102 or 112. Report from a safe position without touching or approaching the object.

Can mountain flooding happen without rain where I stand?

Yes. Fast water can arrive from rain upstream. Move away from dangerous river channels and obey local warnings; call 112 when rescue is needed.

Official Azerbaijan sources and related emergency guides

Public-safety notice: This guide is general information, not emergency dispatch, a medical assessment or a guarantee that a particular road or post-conflict site has been cleared. National emergency contacts and current mine warnings were checked on 7 November 2026. During an immediate emergency in Azerbaijan, call the appropriate working service without delay.