The Palestinian ambassador to the Czech Republic, Jamal al-Jamal, was killed during an explosion at his home in Prague, and police say the cause seems to have been accidental.
The blast occurred when Mr. Jamal tried to pry open a safe that had been shut and sealed for two decades, triggering a safety device, police said, BBC reported. The ambassador was transported to the hospital for treatment of numerous injuries, but died four hours later.
“The safe was sitting neglected in one of the areas of the old embassy,” said Palestinian Foreign Minister Riad Malki, to The Associated Press. “No one had touched it for 20 to 25 years.”
A woman thought to be the ambassador’s wife was also taken to the hospital. Her condition is unknown.
Mr. Jamal had only recently moved into the home, located in the Suchdol district of the city.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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