Asia-Pacific

Qatari royal family member killed in car accident in Iraq

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-12-06 17:25

RAMADI, Iraq - A member of Qatar's royal family was killed in a car accident while on hunting trip in Iraq's western province of Anbar, a provincial police source said on Monday.

The accident took place on Sunday afternoon in a bumpy area near the village of al-Nukhaib, some 200 km southwest of Anbar's capital city of Ramadi, a source from the provincial operations command told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

"The victim, in his 20s, was identified as Khalifa bin Abdulla bin Hassan bin Ali al-Thani, according to his passport," the source said, adding Thani was speeding his sport utility vehicle (SUV) for a prey when his vehicle rolled over, critically wounding him.

He was taken to a hospital in Ramadi, but died of his wounds before arrival, the source said.

The source couldn't immediately tell the victim's exact relationship with Qatari Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani.

The vast desert in western Iraq is a popular hunting ground among royalty from the Gulf region. The Iraqi desert area is currently enjoying moderate temperatures.