Yemeni officials say British ambassador escapes explosion near his car, is unhurt

Yemen: British ambassador escapes explosion

SAN’A, Yemen — Yemeni officials say the British ambassador narrowly escaped what appeared to be a suicide attack on his armored car while on his way to work.

British Embassy spokeswoman Chantel Mortimer said the ambassador, Timothy Torlot, was unhurt.

The Yemeni officials said the vehicle was passing through a poor neighborhood in the eastern part of San’a Monday when an explosion went off nearby. They said they believed the attacker was wearing an explosives belt and that he was killed in the explosion.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media.

The Foreign Office in London says the embassy has been closed to the public and is warning all British nationals in Yemen to be vigilant.