Utter chaos erupted at the Rajaprasong area in central Bangkok yesterday night when a bomb detonated in front of a religious shrine, with the death toll currently at 22 while 120 more were left wounded during the blast.
Various media outlets have reported that an improvised explosive device was placed affixed to a utility pole in front of the Erawan shrine, a Hindu shrine popular with tourists, Singaporeans included. There was a second bomb — which was fastened to a motorcycle — that exploded after the initial blast at 7.55pm, causing two taxis nearby to explode.
The tragic episode has also claimed Singaporean victims, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA). "We have learnt that some Singaporeans were injured. Our embassy staff are rendering the necessary consular assistance to the affected Singaporeans," they wrote in a news release. "They are also in contact with the Thai authorities to check if there are any more Singaporeans affected by the bomb blast."
The ministry has also strongly condemned the attack and conveyed their condolences to the families of the victims.
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NEW VIDEO shows first-hand perspective of the blast at Bangkok's Erawan Shrine, as experienced by a Chinese tourist.19...
Posted by Shanghaiist on Monday, 17 August 2015
A witness speaking to Coconuts Bangkok recounted the bloody scene of destruction following the explosion:
“After five or six minutes I arrived here. They had stopped the traffic. There were a few tourists whose legs were bleeding. I saw some smoke. When I arrived at the intersection I realized that it must be a bomb. There were some pieces of flesh and brain on the road. But the bodies are mainly inside the shrine.”
While no party has stepped up to claim responsibility for the attack, Thailand's Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwong told AFP that he believed the bomb targeted foreigners, with the intention to damage tourism and the economy.
While investigations are fiercely ongoing, all Singaporeans in Bangkok are strongly encouraged to register their details and whereabouts with the Singapore embassy on their website or at +66 81 844-3580.
Header photo from a rescue worker who responded to the explosions.
Utter chaos erupted at the Rajaprasong area in central Bangkok yesterday night when a bomb detonated in front of a religious shrine, with the death toll currently at 22 while 120 more were left wounded during the blast.
Various media outlets have reported that an improvised explosive device was placed affixed to a utility pole in front of the Erawan shrine, a Hindu shrine popular with tourists, Singaporeans included. There was a second bomb — which was fastened to a motorcycle — that exploded after the initial blast at 7.55pm, causing two taxis nearby to explode.
The tragic episode has also claimed Singaporean victims, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA). "We have learnt that some Singaporeans were injured. Our embassy staff are rendering the necessary consular assistance to the affected Singaporeans," they wrote in a news release. "They are also in contact with the Thai authorities to check if there are any more Singaporeans affected by the bomb blast."
The ministry has also strongly condemned the attack and conveyed their condolences to the families of the victims.
(function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_GB/sdk.js#xfbml=1&version=v2.3"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));
NEW VIDEO shows first-hand perspective of the blast at Bangkok's Erawan Shrine, as experienced by a Chinese tourist.19...
Posted by Shanghaiist on Monday, 17 August 2015
A witness speaking to Coconuts Bangkok recounted the bloody scene of destruction following the explosion:
“After five or six minutes I arrived here. They had stopped the traffic. There were a few tourists whose legs were bleeding. I saw some smoke. When I arrived at the intersection I realized that it must be a bomb. There were some pieces of flesh and brain on the road. But the bodies are mainly inside the shrine.”
While no party has stepped up to claim responsibility for the attack, Thailand's Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwong told AFP that he believed the bomb targeted foreigners, with the intention to damage tourism and the economy.
While investigations are fiercely ongoing, all Singaporeans in Bangkok are strongly encouraged to register their details and whereabouts with the Singapore embassy on their website or at +66 81 844-3580.
Header photo from a rescue worker who responded to the explosions.