Deadly Blast Kills 16, Injures 81 At Bangkok Tourist Attraction

At least 16 people have been killed after a bomb exploded close to a shrine in the centre of Thailand’s capital, Bangkok.

More than 80 are reportedly injured in the blast.

The Erawan Shrine, which was crowded at the time, is a major tourist attraction and foreigners, including Chinese, are among the casualties, the BBC reports.

No-one has claim responsibility for the attack.

Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon said the bombers had “targeted foreigners to damage tourism and the economy.”

“We will hunt them down,” he said.

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.

National police Chief, Somyot Poompummuang, said that 10 Thais had been confirmed dead, along with one Chinese and one Filipino.

He said: “Whoever planted this bomb is cruel and aimed to kill. Planting a bomb there means they want to see a lot of people dead.”

The government in Hong Kong said three of its residents had been injured.

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