An bomb explosion near Bangkok’s popular Erawan Shrine left at least 15 dead and more than 80 injured Monday.
A bomb fastened to a utility pole in front of the Erawan shrine at the Ratchaprasongintersection detonated around 7.10pm. A second device was found and was being deactivated by the bomb squad at 8pm.
Several motorcycles were travelling through the junction at the time and the smokingwreckage was scattered across the area afterward.
Police chief Pol Gen Somyot Pumpunmuang and military officers were at the scene. Police already have recovered an electronic circuit suspected to be part of the deviceabout 30 metres from the blast scene.
Photos and videos at the scene showed at least six bodies covered in white sheets with ambulances taking numerous others away with injuries. Reuters reported 30 people were reported injured at 7.40pm
The iron fence surrounding the shrine was bent outward by the force of the blast.
The skywalk near the Ratchprasong intersection has been closed, but the BTS Skytrainremained operational as normal.
Video purported to be CCTV footage of the blast was posted on Facebook after 8pm.