An explosion at a major religious shrine at the center of Bangkok’s shopping district has killed at least 15 people and injured 80, according to local media, shattering the peace in a country that has seen little political violence since a military coup last year.
The explosion, at approximately 7pm local time, was caused by a bomb at the Erawan shrine, a major tourist attraction that features a Thai representation of the Hindu god Brahma, citing officials. The shrine is at the center of Bangkok’s busy Ratchaprasong shopping district, which features more than a dozen luxury malls. Reuters, citing local police, reported that the bomb was carried on a motorcycle.