Eyewitnesses at Site of Bangkok Explosion

Bangkok (PNA/Xinhua) — A wake of destruction — shards of glass, bloodstains and motorbikes scattered on the ground — greeted Xinhua reporters at the site of a loud blast that rocked downtown Bangkok Monday night.

At least 20 people, including 4 Chinese nationals, were killed in the explosion, authorities said.

About 125 others were injured, among them more than 20 Chinese, in the blast that happened at about 7 p.m. local time (1200 GMT) at Erawan Shrine at Ratchaprasong intersection, a popular destination for domestic and foreign tourists.

The site was near hotels, shopping malls and offices, which were visited by tourists and local people day and night.

The area near the shrine was blocked off by the police, who have tightened security around the area. Tourists and passers-by were evacuated by the police and fire engines and ambulances were on standby.

The railings surrounding the shrine and dozens of vehicles nearby had been destroyed. Glass from buildings standing dozens of meters away had also been shattered by the blast.

Two other bombs which were not yet exploded were found at the site, the police told Xinhua.

“I was at the site when the blast took place. Suddenly, three places were ablaze,” Chen Yunhua, a Chinese tourist, told Xinhua at Police General Hospital.

Chen and two other Chinese tourists who had been severely injured have also been taken to the same hospital, he said.

Meanwhile, a total of 25 victims were hospitalized at Chulalongkorn Hospital near the site, the hospital said.

The two hospitals were recruiting volunteers to interpret for the Chinese victims and have been open for blood donations since Tuesday.

Officials from the Chinese embassy in Thailand have rushed to the site of the blast and to hospitals to visit the injured. Volunteers are being organized to provide interpretation services at the hospitals, the embassy said.

The explosives were planted in motorbikes by the attackers and aimed at taking lives, Thai national police said.

No one has claimed immediate responsibility for the blast.

The perpetrators were targeting foreign tourists and intended to destroy the country’s economy and tourism, Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Prawit Wongsuwan said. (PNA/Xinhua) CTB/SSC