New Delhi, June 26 -- A Yemeni journalist was killed in a car bombing in southeastern Yemen and investigators have been ordered to search for the culprits, the government said Thursday.

Mohamed Eida, a correspondent for the Saudi-backed television networks Al-Arabiya and Al- Hadath, was killed late Wednesday when an explosive device planted in his car detonated in the port city of Mukalla in Hadramout province, according to the broadcaster. The network said local authorities had warned him about a month ago that his life was at risk.

Eida's body has not been returned to his family, who were informed by authorities that it would be held pending the investigation, according to a relative who requested anonymity for fear of reprisal.

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