During the 1995 Baku Metro fire Babayev tried to rescue and help the passengers in distress, but lost his life.[2] On 5 November 1996 by the order of the President of Azerbaijan he was posthumously awarded the title of the National Hero of Azerbaijan for the displayed courage and heroism.[2] A memorial complex dedicated to Babayev was subsequently established inside the Ulduz metro station in Baku.[3]