Police in the Czech Republic are investigating a home explosion that killed the Palestinian ambassador to Prague on Wednesday.

The Palestinian Foreign Ministry said Ambassador Jamal al-Jamal was trying to open a safe that was recently moved from the embassy's old offices.

A police spokeswoman said an explosive, which may have been part of a security mechanism, went off after the safe was opened.

She told reporters the possibilities include inexpert handling of an explosive device, or its spontaneous detonation.

The ambassador died of his injuries in the hospital.

The incident remains under investigation.