Yemen, April 27: Britain’s ambassador to Yemen narrowly escaped assassination yesterday after a suicide bomber detonated an explosive vest moments after the embassy’s security convoy passed by.
Witnesses described how a young bomber, dressed in a school uniform, approached the convoy of Tim Torlot, 52, as it drove through an impoverished neighbourhood in eastern Sana’a. Reports indicated that the bomber detonated his explosive vest too late, killing himself instantly and injuring three passers-by. No one in the security convoy, including the ambassador, was hurt in the attack which Yemen’s interior ministry said bore all the hallmarks of an al-Qa’ida assassination attempt.
Britain closed its embassy following the attack and has advised any nationals living in Yemen to “keep a low profile and remain vigilant”.
–Agencies