The explosion, from a grenade thrown from a passing car, occurred mid-day in a bustling tourist section of downtown Prague. Marek Uhlir, spokesman for Prague's emergency response team said that most of the injured were tourists from England, Germany, United States and Slovakia, including one child. Uhlir said that four of the 18 were seriously wounded.
Czech Prime Minister Stanislav Gross toured the area of the blast and told Czech radio that he was certain the attack was criminal in nature, and not terrorism. “This was a criminal act related to the underworld,” said Gross, “a case of gangs settling accounts with one another and not a terrorist attack."
The Czech republic has been on alert for terror attacks for the past year.
The Abutbul family owns a hotel and casino in Prague. In Israel, the Netanya-based family owns many dance clubs, restaurants and gambling halls. Assi Abotbul’s father, Felix, was shot dead in front of the same casino two years ago.
Czech Prime Minister Stanislav Gross toured the area of the blast and told Czech radio that he was certain the attack was criminal in nature, and not terrorism. “This was a criminal act related to the underworld,” said Gross, “a case of gangs settling accounts with one another and not a terrorist attack."
The Czech republic has been on alert for terror attacks for the past year.
The Abutbul family owns a hotel and casino in Prague. In Israel, the Netanya-based family owns many dance clubs, restaurants and gambling halls. Assi Abotbul’s father, Felix, was shot dead in front of the same casino two years ago.