Follow us on:   

4 Chinese killed in Bangkok shrine bombing
August 18, 2015, 4:46 am

Members of Thai army's explosives and ordnance division (EOD) inspect the explosion site in Bangkok, Thailand, Aug. 17, 2015 [Xinhua]

Members of Thai army’s explosives and ordnance division (EOD) inspect the explosion site in Bangkok, Thailand, Aug. 17, 2015 [Xinhua]

Four Chinese nationals, including two from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, have been confirmed killed in a Bangkok explosion Monday night, the Chinese embassy in Thailand said on Tuesday.

More than 20 other Chinese were injured in the blast that rocked Erawan Shrine at Ratchaprasong intersection, a popular tourist destination in downtown Bangkok on Monday, the embassy added.

China’s Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday it has initiated an emergency response following the Bangkok bombing.

Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha described it as “the worst incident that has ever happened in Thailand.”

“I have seen the footage, we have some suspects but it is not so clear. We have to find them first,” he said before heading to a Cabinet meeting to take stock of the probe.

National police spokesman Prawut Thavornsiri said the death toll stood at 22, with 123 people wounded.

Most of those killed in Monday’s blast were tourists, said officials.

Tourism accounts for nearly 10 per cent of the country’s economic output and Chinese holidaymakers are Thailand’s largest group of overseas visitors.

“The Chinese Embassy especially wishes to remind Chinese citizens in Thailand or who are planning to come to Thailand to strengthen awareness of their surroundings, attend to their travel safety and make rational travel plans,” the Chinese embassy in Bangkok said on Tuesday.

China is also the country’s top trading partner.

 

TBP and Agencies