This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2015/aug/17/bangkok-bombing-explosion-hindu-shrine-latest-updates
The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 9 | Version 10 |
|---|---|
| Bangkok bomb blast: at least 19 killed in explosion at Erawan shrine – as it happened | Bangkok bomb blast: at least 19 killed in explosion at Erawan shrine – as it happened |
| (7 months later) | |
| 7.47pm BST | 7.47pm BST |
| 19:47 | 19:47 |
| Summary | Summary |
| Damien Gayle | Damien Gayle |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 9.11pm BST | at 9.11pm BST |
| 7.31pm BST | 7.31pm BST |
| 19:31 | 19:31 |
| Things are apparently beginning to wind down in Bangkok, as a clean-up operation and investigation continues into a bomb blast outside a Hindu temple in the early evening. Here is a final set of pictures of the scene outside the Erawan shrine. | Things are apparently beginning to wind down in Bangkok, as a clean-up operation and investigation continues into a bomb blast outside a Hindu temple in the early evening. Here is a final set of pictures of the scene outside the Erawan shrine. |
| 7.15pm BST | 7.15pm BST |
| 19:15 | 19:15 |
| Thais living in Bangkok have rushed to answer calls for blood donors and Chinese interpreters after the deadly bomb attack that struck the city, Deutsche Presse-Agentur reports. | Thais living in Bangkok have rushed to answer calls for blood donors and Chinese interpreters after the deadly bomb attack that struck the city, Deutsche Presse-Agentur reports. |
| Khonnnon Jathrakul told the German news agency he was far from the city centre when the blast shook the Erawan shrine in the early evening, but he raced to answer pleas for people to give blood to help the injured. | Khonnnon Jathrakul told the German news agency he was far from the city centre when the blast shook the Erawan shrine in the early evening, but he raced to answer pleas for people to give blood to help the injured. |
| “Its my duty to help, as a Thai, as a person.” he said. “I have O blood type and it is useful.” | “Its my duty to help, as a Thai, as a person.” he said. “I have O blood type and it is useful.” |
| Benyapawee Ngamtanakitja, a 19-year-old university student, was one of those who answered the call for translators. She travelled 12.5 miles (20km) to help out at Bangkok’s Police General hospital. | Benyapawee Ngamtanakitja, a 19-year-old university student, was one of those who answered the call for translators. She travelled 12.5 miles (20km) to help out at Bangkok’s Police General hospital. |
| “When I was in China, they took really great care of me so I feel responsible to help all the Chinese victims here,” she said. | “When I was in China, they took really great care of me so I feel responsible to help all the Chinese victims here,” she said. |
| 7.03pm BST | 7.03pm BST |
| 19:03 | 19:03 |
| Narendra Modi, India’s prime minister, has tweeted this statement: | Narendra Modi, India’s prime minister, has tweeted this statement: |
| I strongly condemn the blast in Bangkok. My thoughts are with the families of the deceased. I pray for a speedy recovery of the injured. | I strongly condemn the blast in Bangkok. My thoughts are with the families of the deceased. I pray for a speedy recovery of the injured. |
| 7.00pm BST | 7.00pm BST |
| 19:00 | 19:00 |
| The Bangkok Post, which is understandably leading the world on reporting the bomb attack, is now reporting that the death toll is up to 19. | The Bangkok Post, which is understandably leading the world on reporting the bomb attack, is now reporting that the death toll is up to 19. |
| 19 killed, 123 hurt as bomb blast rocks Bangkok tourist attraction http://t.co/9onrLXI8dk #BreakingNews | 19 killed, 123 hurt as bomb blast rocks Bangkok tourist attraction http://t.co/9onrLXI8dk #BreakingNews |
| The paper earlier posted this tweet giving the names of seven foreigners being treated at one hospital after they were caught in the blast. One victim is poignantly given the honorific “girl”, suggesting she is a child. | The paper earlier posted this tweet giving the names of seven foreigners being treated at one hospital after they were caught in the blast. One victim is poignantly given the honorific “girl”, suggesting she is a child. |
| Names of 7 foreigners being treated at Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital. Another 2 Chinese cannot be identified. pic.twitter.com/LT1LqsAZYr | Names of 7 foreigners being treated at Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital. Another 2 Chinese cannot be identified. pic.twitter.com/LT1LqsAZYr |
| 6.56pm BST | 6.56pm BST |
| 18:56 | 18:56 |
| Here are two more tweets with pictures of the scene of the explosion at the Erawan shrine. | Here are two more tweets with pictures of the scene of the explosion at the Erawan shrine. |
| Damaged sign outside Erawan. Not tweeting covered bodies. pic.twitter.com/M7clnp9X3q | Damaged sign outside Erawan. Not tweeting covered bodies. pic.twitter.com/M7clnp9X3q |
| Injured man taken to ambulance outside Hyatt pic.twitter.com/AU9HOvbfQk | Injured man taken to ambulance outside Hyatt pic.twitter.com/AU9HOvbfQk |
| 6.39pm BST | 6.39pm BST |
| 18:39 | 18:39 |
| “We heard the explosion directly beneath us” | “We heard the explosion directly beneath us” |
| Carmen Fishwick | Carmen Fishwick |
| Australians Leify, 27, and John, 33, were walking across the sky bridge at the Intercontinental Hotel when the bomb went off. The pair, from Sydney, had just this morning flown into Bangkok from Rome. They spoke via WhatsApp and phone to Carmen Fishwick, Guardian community editor. | Australians Leify, 27, and John, 33, were walking across the sky bridge at the Intercontinental Hotel when the bomb went off. The pair, from Sydney, had just this morning flown into Bangkok from Rome. They spoke via WhatsApp and phone to Carmen Fishwick, Guardian community editor. |
| We were crossing the sky bridge near the Intercontinental Hotel, and we heard this explosion directly beneath us. We fell to the ground. The blast was so big, there was so much smoke and the fire came up so high. There was fire, shrapnel and so much smoke. The whole ground and everything shook. I thought everyone was going to fall. We couldn’t see anything around us. I’ve never experienced anything like it before. | We were crossing the sky bridge near the Intercontinental Hotel, and we heard this explosion directly beneath us. We fell to the ground. The blast was so big, there was so much smoke and the fire came up so high. There was fire, shrapnel and so much smoke. The whole ground and everything shook. I thought everyone was going to fall. We couldn’t see anything around us. I’ve never experienced anything like it before. |
| After the blast, we ran down the stairs. We saw people crawling around the road with missing limbs. People’s bodies were scattered, their legs were torn off and there was blood everywhere. Everyone was running. It was quite chaotic. Our ears were ringing and our heads hurt. People didn’t know whether to run or help. | After the blast, we ran down the stairs. We saw people crawling around the road with missing limbs. People’s bodies were scattered, their legs were torn off and there was blood everywhere. Everyone was running. It was quite chaotic. Our ears were ringing and our heads hurt. People didn’t know whether to run or help. |
| We were there before the paramedics arrived. My boyfriend John was going to go closer and wanted to help, but I kept telling him we had to get out of there. There were clearly dead bodies lying around but no-one went near them. I saw at least 12 injured people, and at least three dead bodies lying on the road. | We were there before the paramedics arrived. My boyfriend John was going to go closer and wanted to help, but I kept telling him we had to get out of there. There were clearly dead bodies lying around but no-one went near them. I saw at least 12 injured people, and at least three dead bodies lying on the road. |
| We didn’t go to the hospital. We were going to but my brother in the UK said there were other bombs. As soon as I got the text we turned back. We were frightened and didn’t want to travel. The pain in our ears is quite bad. It feels like pressure. I’ve never felt anything like it. My boyfriend described what happened as a pull in the air. The feeling in the ears was so intense. And then ringing. | We didn’t go to the hospital. We were going to but my brother in the UK said there were other bombs. As soon as I got the text we turned back. We were frightened and didn’t want to travel. The pain in our ears is quite bad. It feels like pressure. I’ve never felt anything like it. My boyfriend described what happened as a pull in the air. The feeling in the ears was so intense. And then ringing. |
| I was crying for a while. We’re now in our hotel which is a three minute walk away from were the bomb exploded. The hotel has said if we want a doctor they’ll help. | I was crying for a while. We’re now in our hotel which is a three minute walk away from were the bomb exploded. The hotel has said if we want a doctor they’ll help. |
| 6.24pm BST | 6.24pm BST |
| 18:24 | 18:24 |
| A picture from inside the Grand Hyatt Erawan, just yards from where the bomb went off, shows glass littering the ground after the windows were blown out by the blast. | A picture from inside the Grand Hyatt Erawan, just yards from where the bomb went off, shows glass littering the ground after the windows were blown out by the blast. |
| Grand Hyatt Erawan affected by Bomb Blast #BangkokBomb #Bangkok pic.twitter.com/PJ2tmMFfy8 | Grand Hyatt Erawan affected by Bomb Blast #BangkokBomb #Bangkok pic.twitter.com/PJ2tmMFfy8 |
| 6.18pm BST | 6.18pm BST |
| 18:18 | 18:18 |
| The Associated Press has filed this background on the Erawan shrine, a Hindu temple that is nonetheless popular with Buddhist Thais and Chinese tourists. | The Associated Press has filed this background on the Erawan shrine, a Hindu temple that is nonetheless popular with Buddhist Thais and Chinese tourists. |
| The Erawan shrine is dedicated to the Hindu god Brahma, but is extremely popular among Thailand’s Buddhists as well as Chinese tourists. Throngs of tourists come there to pray at all hours, lighting incense and offering flowers purchased from rows of stalls set up on the sidewalk along the shrine. The site is a hubbub of activity, with quiet worshippers sometimes flanked by Thai dancers hired by those seeking good fortune, while groups of tourists shuffle in and out. | The Erawan shrine is dedicated to the Hindu god Brahma, but is extremely popular among Thailand’s Buddhists as well as Chinese tourists. Throngs of tourists come there to pray at all hours, lighting incense and offering flowers purchased from rows of stalls set up on the sidewalk along the shrine. The site is a hubbub of activity, with quiet worshippers sometimes flanked by Thai dancers hired by those seeking good fortune, while groups of tourists shuffle in and out. |
| In March 2006, the shrine was vandalized by a man who smashed the statue of the four-headed Brahma with a hammer. The man, believed to be mentally ill, was lynched by bystanders. A new Brahma statue was installed at the shrine within months, and was not damaged in Monday’s blast. | In March 2006, the shrine was vandalized by a man who smashed the statue of the four-headed Brahma with a hammer. The man, believed to be mentally ill, was lynched by bystanders. A new Brahma statue was installed at the shrine within months, and was not damaged in Monday’s blast. |
| Brahma is the first god in the Hindu trinity and is said to be the creator of the universe. The other two gods are Vishnu, the preserver, and Shiva, the destroyer. Although Thailand is predominantly Buddhist, it has enormous Hindu influence on its religious practices and language. | Brahma is the first god in the Hindu trinity and is said to be the creator of the universe. The other two gods are Vishnu, the preserver, and Shiva, the destroyer. Although Thailand is predominantly Buddhist, it has enormous Hindu influence on its religious practices and language. |
| 6.16pm BST | 6.16pm BST |
| 18:16 | 18:16 |
| Death toll revised up to 18 | Death toll revised up to 18 |
| The official number of people killed and hurt by the bomb has been revised up for a third time, the Associated Press reports. | The official number of people killed and hurt by the bomb has been revised up for a third time, the Associated Press reports. |
| At least 18 people are confirmed dead and 117 injured, the agency said, citing the Narinthorn emergency medical rescue centre. | At least 18 people are confirmed dead and 117 injured, the agency said, citing the Narinthorn emergency medical rescue centre. |
| 6.08pm BST | 6.08pm BST |
| 18:08 | 18:08 |
| This graphic calling for people to “pray for Bangkok” is being shared widely across Twitter and Instagram as people express their shock and dismay at the bombing in the city. | This graphic calling for people to “pray for Bangkok” is being shared widely across Twitter and Instagram as people express their shock and dismay at the bombing in the city. |
| R.I.P. IN BANGKOK pic.twitter.com/oDY0yUbaDZ | R.I.P. IN BANGKOK pic.twitter.com/oDY0yUbaDZ |
| 6.04pm BST | 6.04pm BST |
| 18:04 | 18:04 |
| A reminder that we are keen to hear any eyewitness accounts of what happened at the Erawan shrine today. | A reminder that we are keen to hear any eyewitness accounts of what happened at the Erawan shrine today. |
| Are you in Bangkok? Did you witness the explosion? You can contact the Guardian using Whatsapp on +447867825056, but please stay safe. Terms and conditions here. | Are you in Bangkok? Did you witness the explosion? You can contact the Guardian using Whatsapp on +447867825056, but please stay safe. Terms and conditions here. |
| 6.00pm BST | 6.00pm BST |
| 18:00 | 18:00 |
| These are the latest pictures from the scene outside the Erawan shrine as firefighters, paramedics and police clean up after the explosion there earlier. | These are the latest pictures from the scene outside the Erawan shrine as firefighters, paramedics and police clean up after the explosion there earlier. |
| 5.49pm BST | 5.49pm BST |
| 17:49 | 17:49 |
| Thai government statement urges people to remain calm | Thai government statement urges people to remain calm |
| The Thai government has posted this statement, attributed to Maj Gen. Werachon Sukhondhapatak, on its website. The bullet points are their own: | The Thai government has posted this statement, attributed to Maj Gen. Werachon Sukhondhapatak, on its website. The bullet points are their own: |
| 5.38pm BST | 5.38pm BST |
| 17:38 | 17:38 |
| The Foreign Office has distributed this terse statement regarding the attacks in Thailand earlier today. A spokesperson said: | The Foreign Office has distributed this terse statement regarding the attacks in Thailand earlier today. A spokesperson said: |
| We are in contact with local authorities and urgently seeking further information following reports of an explosion in Bangkok. | We are in contact with local authorities and urgently seeking further information following reports of an explosion in Bangkok. |
| 5.22pm BST | 5.22pm BST |
| 17:22 | 17:22 |
| Hospitals close to the scene of the bomb attack are calling for Chinese translators to help interpret for those injured, the Bangkok Post reports. According to the paper’s story: | Hospitals close to the scene of the bomb attack are calling for Chinese translators to help interpret for those injured, the Bangkok Post reports. According to the paper’s story: |
| Most of those injured in the explosion were said to be predominantly Asian tourists, with the majority taken to Police General Hospital and Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, both of which were appealing for blood by 8.45pm | Most of those injured in the explosion were said to be predominantly Asian tourists, with the majority taken to Police General Hospital and Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, both of which were appealing for blood by 8.45pm |
| Both hospitals also were calling for Chinese translators, as many mainland visitors were among the injured. The Japanese embassy said it is rushing to confirm whether any Japanese were caught in the blast. | Both hospitals also were calling for Chinese translators, as many mainland visitors were among the injured. The Japanese embassy said it is rushing to confirm whether any Japanese were caught in the blast. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 5.22pm BST | at 5.22pm BST |
| 5.10pm BST | 5.10pm BST |
| 17:10 | 17:10 |
| Bomb 'exploded INSIDE the Erawan shrine' | Bomb 'exploded INSIDE the Erawan shrine' |
| The blast in central Bangkok this evening occurred inside the Erawan shrine, national police chief Somyot Poompanmoung said, correcting earlier reports that it was on a motorcycle parked outside the landmark. | The blast in central Bangkok this evening occurred inside the Erawan shrine, national police chief Somyot Poompanmoung said, correcting earlier reports that it was on a motorcycle parked outside the landmark. |
| Police are now saying the device was made from a pipe wrapped in cloth, the Associated Press reports. The agency quoted Somyot as saying that officials initially believed that a second bomb had been found in a bag nearby, but that it had been determined to be harmless. The police chief added: | Police are now saying the device was made from a pipe wrapped in cloth, the Associated Press reports. The agency quoted Somyot as saying that officials initially believed that a second bomb had been found in a bag nearby, but that it had been determined to be harmless. The police chief added: |
| Those who have planted this bomb are cruel. They aim to kill because everyone knows that at 7 p.m. the shrine is crowded with Thais and foreigners. | Those who have planted this bomb are cruel. They aim to kill because everyone knows that at 7 p.m. the shrine is crowded with Thais and foreigners. |
| Planting a bomb there means they want to see a lot of dead people. | Planting a bomb there means they want to see a lot of dead people. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 9.16pm BST | at 9.16pm BST |