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Bangkok bomb: Deadly blast rocks Thailand capital Bangkok bomb: Deadly blast rocks Thailand capital
(35 minutes later)
A bomb has exploded close to a shrine in the centre of the Thai capital, Bangkok, police say. A bomb has exploded close to a shrine in the centre of Thailand's capital, Bangkok, killing at least 12 people and injuring dozens more.
Local reports suggest at least 12 people have died and at least 20 more have been injured. A second bomb has been found in the area and made safe, officials say.
The BBC's Jonathan Head, who is at the scene, says there is a huge amount of chaos, with body parts scattered everywhere. No-one has yet said they carried out the attack, which took place close to the Erawan Shrine in Bangkok's central Chidlom district.
The attack took place close to the Erawan Shrine in the capital's central Chidlom district. The shrine is a major tourist attraction and the Thai government said the attack was aimed at foreigners.
The explosion occurred at about 19:00 local time (12:00 GMT), with police saying it may have been caused by a motorcycle bomb. Local media report that tourists may be among the casualties.
No-one has yet said they carried out the attack. Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwong said: "It was a TNT bomb... the people who did it targeted foreigners and to damage tourism and the economy."
Some reports said foreign tourists may have been among the casualties.
The Bangkok Post quotes police as saying at least one more bomb has been made safe by officers in the Ratchaprasong area.
Read the latest updates hereRead the latest updates here
'Burnt motorbikes' The Nation TV channel quoted Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha as saying the government would set up a "war room" to coordinate its response.
Our correspondent says this is a very well-known shrine in the centre of Bangkok, next to a five-star hotel. The explosion occurred at about 19:00 local time (12:00 GMT). Some reports said the bomb had been on a motorcycle, others that it was tied to an electricity pole.
He says people around the shrine were hit by the full force of the blast. 'Really graphic'
There are burnt motorbikes on the main road, with paramedics and police trying to take the injured away, he says. The BBC's Jonathan Head, who is at the scene, says there is a huge amount of chaos, with body parts scattered everywhere.
He says this is a very well-known shrine in the centre of Bangkok, next to a five-star hotel, and that people around the shrine were hit by the full force of the blast.
One bystander, Alessandro Ursic, told the BBC: "When I arrived they had already cleared the bodies from the ground outside the Erawan shrine but there were and there are still pieces of human flesh strewn around the intersection; it's really graphic."
Another, Richard Srikureja, said: "I was walking to a mall right next to the shrine and I heard a huge blast and people were just sprinting everywhere. It was total chaos and it's right in the middle of Bangkok."
The shrine is to the Hindu god Brahma, but is also visited by thousands of Buddhists each day. There are also three major shopping centres nearby.The shrine is to the Hindu god Brahma, but is also visited by thousands of Buddhists each day. There are also three major shopping centres nearby.
National police spokesman Lt Gen Prawut Thavornsiri told Agence France-Presse news agency: "I can confirm it was a bomb, we can't tell which kind yet, we are checking."National police spokesman Lt Gen Prawut Thavornsiri told Agence France-Presse news agency: "I can confirm it was a bomb, we can't tell which kind yet, we are checking."
The explosion was on the Ratchaprasong intersection, which has been the centre of political demonstrations in recent years.The explosion was on the Ratchaprasong intersection, which has been the centre of political demonstrations in recent years.
Our correspondent says bomb attacks in Bangkok are extremely rare.Our correspondent says bomb attacks in Bangkok are extremely rare.
There has been a Muslim insurgency, but this has been largely confined to the south of the country and attacks rarely take place elsewhere.There has been a Muslim insurgency, but this has been largely confined to the south of the country and attacks rarely take place elsewhere.
But Bangkok has seen a decade of sometimes violent rivalry between political factions.But Bangkok has seen a decade of sometimes violent rivalry between political factions.
The military took over ruling the country in May last year, removing an elected government following months of unrest.The military took over ruling the country in May last year, removing an elected government following months of unrest.
Are you in Bangkok? Did you witness what happened? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your story and images but please stay safe.Are you in Bangkok? Did you witness what happened? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your story and images but please stay safe.
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