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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 Thailand's capital, Bangkok, killing at least 12 people and injuring dozens more.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.
A second bomb has been found in the area and made safe, officials say. Reports say a second bomb has been found in the area and made safe.
No-one has yet said they carried out the attack, which took place close to the Erawan Shrine in Bangkok's central Chidlom district. 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 shrine is a major tourist attraction and the Thai government said the attack was aimed at foreigners. The shrine is a major tourist attraction. The Thai government said the attack was aimed at foreigners.
Local media report that tourists may be among the casualties. Local media report that tourists, including Chinese, may be among the casualties.
Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwong said: "It was a TNT bomb... the people who did it targeted foreigners and to damage tourism and the economy."Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwong said: "It was a TNT bomb... the people who did it targeted foreigners and to damage tourism and the economy."
Read the latest updates hereRead the latest updates here
The Nation TV channel quoted Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha as saying the government would set up a "war room" to coordinate its response. The Nation TV channel quoted Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha as saying the government would set up a "war room" to co-ordinate its response.
Nation put the death toll as high as 27, saying at least three foreigners were killed, but there is no official confirmation.
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.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.
'Really graphic''Really graphic'
The BBC's Jonathan Head, who is at the scene, says there is a huge amount of chaos, with body parts scattered everywhere.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.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."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." Another, James Sales, said: "I went into where the shrine is, where there were lots of bodies. I saw at least nine people unfortunately who looked like they had died and lots of Chinese tourists as well.
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. "I tried to administer CPR to one particular guy who was in his 40s... and he didn't make it."
Bangkok explosion
Eyewitness accounts of the blast - "There was total chaos"
CCTV footage - captures the moment of the explosion
The Erawan Shrine - popular with locals and tourists
The shrine is dedicated 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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