Palestinian representative to Prague killed in explosion

Officials say the Palestinian ambassador to the Czech Republic has been killed in an explosion at his apartment. Czech police said on Wednesday there was no evidence an explosion that killed the Palestinian ambassador to the Czech Republic was an attack.

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Website idnes.cz said that Palestinian mission spokesman Nabil el Fahel confirmed that the ambassador, Jamal Muhammad Al Jamal, was killed. It also said that two people were admitted to hospital. The ambassador was in the flat with his family at the time of the explosion, el Fahel said.

The Palestinian Foreign Ministry, meanwhile, said the explosion occurred when the ambassador was moving an old office safe box. Palestinian Foreign Minister Riad Malki said no foul play was suspected, noting that the safe hadn't been opened in at least 30 years. It was recently moved from an old embassy building.

It was not immediately clear how the explosives ended up in the safe box, but the ministry said the blast was being investigated.

Prague rescue service spokeswoman Jirina Ernestova said the 56-year-old diplomat was in a medically induced coma. She said a 52-year old woman was also taken to the hospital after suffering from shock.

The diplomat's apartment in Prague (Photo: idnes.cz)

Prague fire spokeswoman Pavlina Adamcova said Wednesday's explosion occurred in the Suchdol neighborhood in the Prague 6 district. Police could not immediately be reached for comment.

Czech media identified the diplomat as the Palestinian ambassador, Al Jamal, and said the blast occurred as he was opening a safe.

"I can only confirm there was a detonation in the residence of a Palestinian diplomat," police spokesperson Andrea Zoulova said.

"The diplomat suffered a serious injury and was taken to hospital. We are investigating the causes," she added.

Reuters and AFP contributed to the report

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