Blast kills Palestinian diplomat in Prague

Palestinian delegation to help with inquiry into explosion in which Jamal al-Jamal, ambassador to Czech Republic, died.

There were no visible signs of damage to the diplomat's Prague residence on Wednesday [Reuters]

The Palestinian ambassador to the Czech Republic has died in an explosion at his residence in Prague, according to a police spokesperson.

The blast in the Czech capital occurred before midday on Wednesday, Andrea Zoulova, the spokesperson, said.

Jamal al-Jamal’s family was also at the two-storey residence, in a northern suburb of Prague, but no one else was hurt, she said.

There were no visible signs of damage to the house from the street, according to a Reuters reporter at the scene.

Police cordoned off part of the street and half dozen police vehicles, two fire-tenders and two ambulances were there.

“There has been a detonation of a so-far unidentified explosive mixture,” Zoulova said.

“The ambassador was injured … and taken to hospital with serious injuries. At the moment it is impossible to specify what kind of explosive it was. A search … is under way at the moment.”

A Palestinian official told Reuters from Ramallah: “This explosion happened at his house. He recently moved there. He was taken to hospital. An investigation is under way.”

A second Palestinian source said: “He moved an old case with him to the new house from the old house. And when he opened it, the explosion happened.”

The Palestinian Foreign Ministry said it will send a delegation to Prague “to help with the investigation”.

Source: Reuters