China sends special investigation team to Israel after ambassador’s death
- Details remain scant one day after body of 57-year-old diplomat Du Wei is found at his home in Tel Aviv
- Top Israeli foreign ministry official extends condolences to deputy ambassador Dai Yuming
The team, accompanied by a member of Du’s family, was due to travel on Monday, and will handle arrangements for the remains, as well as conducting its own internal investigation, according to Israeli newspaper Haaretz.
Israel’s foreign ministry said its director general Yuval Rotem had spoken with deputy ambassador Dai Yuming to express his condolences. Local police are continuing to investigate at Du’s residence in a suburb of Herzliya, near Tel Aviv.
On Monday, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said Du, 57, died unexpectedly “of health reasons”.
“We are deeply saddened by the death of Ambassador Du and would like to extend our deepest condolences to his family. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is currently conducting the follow-up work,” Zhao said.
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In a tweet late on Sunday night, Hu Xijin, editor-in-chief of state tabloid Global Times, said: “As far as I know, China's ambassador to Israel Du Wei passed away in ambassador’s residence in Tel Aviv this morning for physical reasons. It happened abruptly,”