Deadly Explosion Rocks Tel Aviv (VIDEO) — RT World News

Israeli police are investigating a blast in Tel Aviv that killed one person and wounded another, local media reported Sunday. Authorities suspect the victim may have been killed by his own bomb in a botched suicide attack.

The blast occurred in the city centre at around 8pm, causing extensive damage to a nearby truck. Central Command Commander Perez Amer told reporters that “The emergency call center received dozens of calls reporting a loud explosion and body parts scattered across Lehi Street.”

When police and paramedics arrived, they noticed “a mutilated body and traces of an explosion on the wall” Amer added. The man, later identified Gideon Peri, 50, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Another man riding a scooter in the area was moderately injured by shrapnel and was taken to hospital for treatment.

Authorities believe the explosive device was carried by the deceased himself. Police initially “difficulty identifying the body” but determined “This is not an innocent civilian, but a man who was carrying an explosive device.”

“It's too early to say whether this is related to crime or terrorism,” Amer continued, noting that determining the nature of the incident is critical. Israel's Shin Bet security agency is taking part in the investigation.

Unconfirmed CCTV footage has emerged online that appears to show the moments of the explosion, with another video showing a man carrying a backpack. Some reports suggest the bomb may have detonated prematurely, killing the would-be attacker.

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