Twin bombs strapped to a pole and a motorcycle exploded in the middle of one of Bangkok’s busiest districts and in front of a popular Hindu shrine, killing 27 and injuring several others; no group has claimed responsibility for the blasts yet
Several motorcycles parked on the road were destroyed in the blasts. Seen here are two motorcycles and one fallen pole; according to the police, the bombs were strapped to a utility pole and a motorbike.
Bangkok: Two powerful bombs exploded outside a Hindu temple yesterday in Bangkok, Thailand’s capital city, killing at least 27 people. Among the dead are four foreigners whose nationalities aren’t known.
Several motorcycles parked on the road were destroyed in the blasts. Seen here are two motorcycles and one fallen pole; according to the police, the bombs were strapped to a utility pole and a motorbike. Pic/AFP
The twin blasts, which the government believes were aimed at damaging the economy and tourism, occured at 7 pm (5:30 IST) outside Erawan Shrine in the downtown Chidlom district, the police said.
The temple, which is dedicated to Lord Brahma, is located on a main road through Bangkok’s commercial hub and is surrounded by three major shopping malls.
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The fencing surrounding the Erawan shrine lay bent, following the impact of the blasts. The shrine is dedicated to Phra Phrom, who is the Thai representation of the Hindu God Brahma. Pic/PTI
Thai TV said at least 27 people were killed and scores injured during the evening rush hour. According to media reports, there was a huge amount of chaos, with body parts scattered everywhere.
According to the Police, the first bomb to detonate was an improvised explosive device fastened to a utility pole in front of the temple at the Rajprasong intersection that was immediately followed by a motorbike bomb, causing two taxis standing nearby to explode.
An overview of the site where the twin bombs exploded. Pic/PTI
Some sources have also said that a bomb was hidden under a roadside bench in front of the temple.
No group has claimed responsibility for the blasts yet. The Rajprasong intersection has been the centre of political demonstrations in Thailand in recent years.
The force of the blast bent the iron fence surrounding the shrine on the outside. Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwong said, “It was a TNT bomb... the people who did it targeted foreigners and to damage tourism and the economy.”
Police said the bomb was made of 5 kg of TNT explosives.
Police, emergency vans and bomb detonation squads rushed to the area where several motorcycles lay mangled. Bomb attacks in Bangkok are extremely rare.
40 metres The radius of the explosion
5 KG The Erawan Shrine
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