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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 16 people and injuring more than 80.A bomb has exploded close to a shrine in the centre of Thailand's capital, Bangkok, killing at least 16 people and injuring more than 80.
Reports say a second bomb has been found in the area and made safe. The Erawan Shrine is a major tourist attraction and foreigners, including Chinese, were said to be among the casualties.
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.
The shrine is a major tourist attraction. The Thai government said the attack was aimed at foreigners. Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwong said the bomb had "targeted foreigners... to damage tourism and the economy".
Local media report that tourists, including Chinese, are 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."
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 co-ordinate 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. Nation put the death toll as high as 27, saying at least three foreigners were killed, but there has been no official confirmation.
The explosion occurred at about 19:00 local time (12:00 GMT).The explosion occurred at about 19:00 local time (12:00 GMT).
The Bangkok Post said there were twin blasts - one from a motorcycle bomb and the other from a device fixed to an electricity pole. It quoted police as saying 5kg of TNT was used and that an electronic circuit suspected to have been used in the attack was found 30 metres from the scene. The Bangkok Post quoted police as saying that 3kg of TNT had been stuffed in a pipe inside the shrine and that an electronic circuit suspected to have been used in the attack was found 30 metres from the scene.
Police checked the area for other devices but no further bombs have been found, the paper said.
'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, 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.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.
"I tried to administer CPR to one particular guy who was in his 40s... and he didn't make it.""I tried to administer CPR to one particular guy who was in his 40s... and he didn't make it."
Bangkok explosionBangkok explosion
Eyewitness accounts of the blast - "There was total chaos"Eyewitness accounts of the blast - "There was total chaos"
CCTV footage - captures the moment of the explosionCCTV footage - captures the moment of the explosion
The Erawan Shrine - popular with locals and touristsThe Erawan Shrine - popular with locals and tourists
Mobile phone footage captures the blast
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.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.
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways:Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: