Palestinian ambassador killed in apartment blast

An explosion in Prague has killed the Palestinian ambassador in the Czech Republic.

Ambassador Jamel al-Jamal was in his apartment with his family at the time of the explosion today, according to a Palestinian Embassy spokesman. Mr Al-Jamal was seriously injured and rushed to a hospital, where he died, according to police.

The Palestinian Foreign Ministry said the blast occurred when the 56-year-old diplomat was moving an old office safe box. It was not immediately clear how the explosives got there, and the ministry said the blast was being investigated.

Mr al-Jamal was placed in a medically induced coma when he arrived at Prague Military Hospital. A 52-year old woman was taken to a different hospital in Prague after suffering from shock.

The ambassador’s apartment is in Prague’s Suchdol district.