FILE - In this Oct. 11, 2013 file photo Palestinian ambassador to the Czech Republic Jamal Al Jamal is pictured in Prague, Czech Republic. Jamal Al Jamal, who was injured in an explosion in his residence in Prague-Suchdol, has died in a hospital on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2014. (AP Photo/CTK, Krumphanzl Michal, File) SLOVAKIA OUT
January 01, 2014 - 6:24 AM
PRAGUE - An explosion rocked the apartment of the Palestinian ambassador on Wednesday, seriously injuring the diplomat.
Palestinian Embassy spokesman Nabil El-Fahel told Czech public radio that Ambassador Jamel al-Jamal was hospitalized with serious injuries from the blast on Wednesday. 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.
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 ambassador's apartment is in Prague's Suchdol neighbourhood.
News from © The Associated Press, 2014