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Bangkok bomb blast: eight things we know so far

Details have continued to emerge since the blast yesterday at around 7pm

Rose Troup Buchanan

Wednesday 19 August 2015 07:20 BST

A general view taken from a moving train shows the scene at the Erawan Shrine after a bomb explosion in central Bangkok, Thailand (EPA)

A bomb blast has devastated a Hindu shrine in the centre of Bangkok, killing at least 22 and injuring more than a 100 people. But what do we know so far about the attack?

When did the bomb go off?

Thai authorities believe the pipe bomb detonated around 7pm (local time) on Monday.

Where did it go off?

The device was planted next to the popular Hindu Erawan shrine, near a busy cross-junction where at that time hundreds of people milled through the city.

How many have been killed and injured?

The death toll stands at as many as 20 people, including approximately seven foreigners – mostly from Asian nations. An estimated 123 individuals have been hospitalised as a result of the attack – however, some reports claim this number is higher.

Who do authorities think is behind the attack?

No group or individual has claimed the attack. As of Tuesday morning details around possible motivations for the attack remain speculation, although an attack by southern Muslim insurgents has been deemed unlikely given the style and location of the bomb.

What is going on with the CCTV images?

A description of a suspect was initially released by Bangkok police authorities on Tuesday morning. However, the images were quickly leaked online along with video.

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Bangkok Bombing

Bangkok Bombing

Motorcycles lie on the street at the scene of a bomb attack near Erawan Shrine, central Bangkok, Thailand, 17 August 2015. An explosion in a busy commercial district in the Thai capital killed a yet unconfirmed number of people. Witnesses said the explosion happened around 7:15 pm (1215 GMT) at the Rajprasong Intersection, a business area famous among tourists and locals for a revered Hindu shrine.

EPA

Bangkok Bombing

Bangkok Bombing

A general view taken from a moving train shows bodies covered in white sheets around the Erawan Shrine, central Bangkok, Thailand, 17 August 2015. An explosion in a busy commercial district in the Thai capital killed a yet unconfirmed number of people. Witnesses said the explosion happened around 7:15 pm (1215 GMT) at the Rajprasong Intersection, a business area famous among tourists and locals for a revered Hindu shrine.

EPA

Bangkok Bombing

Bangkok Bombing

Officials close off an intersection after an explosion in Bangkok, Monday, Aug. 17, 2015. A large explosion rocked a central Bangkok intersection during the evening rush hour, killing a number of people and injuring others, police said.

AP

Bangkok Bombing

Bangkok Bombing

A rescue workers near the scene of an explosion on August 17, 2015 in Bangkok, Thailand. A large explosion believed to be from a bomb has happened in central Bangkok this evening with early reports suggesting 12 people have died and at least 20 more have been injured

Getty

Bangkok Bombing

Bangkok Bombing

Motorcycles are strewn about after an explosion in Bangkok, Monday, Aug. 17, 2015. A large explosion rocked a central Bangkok intersection during the evening rush hour, killing a number of people and injuring others, police said

AP

Bangkok Bombing

Bangkok Bombing

A Thai soldier (R) looks at the damage after a bomb exploded outside a religious shrine in central Bangkok late on August 17, 2015 killing at least 10 people and wounding scores more. Body parts were scattered across the street after the explosion outside the Erawan Shrine in the downtown Chidlom district of the Thai capital.

AFP/Getty

Bangkok Bombing

Bangkok Bombing

A Thai soldier ropes off the scene after a bomb exploded outside a religious shrine in central Bangkok late on August 17, 2015 killing at least 10 people and wounding scores more. Body parts were scattered across the street after the explosion outside the Erawan Shrine in the downtown Chidlom district of the Thai capital.

AFP/Getty

Bangkok Bombing

Bangkok Bombing

Thai rescue workers carry an injured person after a bomb exploded outside a religious shrine in central Bangkok late on August 17, 2015 killing at least 10 people and wounding scores more. Body parts were scattered across the street after the explosion outside the Erawan Shrine in the downtown Chidlom district of the Thai capital.

AFP/Getty

Bangkok Bombing

Bangkok Bombing

Police chief Somyot Poompanmoung is interviewed by the press on August 17, 2015 in Bangkok, Thailand. A large explosion believed to be from a bomb has happened in central Bangkok on the evening of Tuesday 17th of August, 2015. Early reports suggest 12 people have died and at least 20 more injured.

Getty Images

Bangkok Bombing

Bangkok Bombing

Explosive Ordnance Disposal officers enter the Erawan Shrine after an explosion in Bangkok, Monday, Aug. 17, 2015. A large explosion rocked a central Bangkok intersection during the evening rush hour, killing a number of people and injuring others, police said.

AP

Who is the man pictured?

On Tuesday morning Thai police reportedly told Associated Press that the man pictured “is the bomber”.

What does the video show?

They purport to show a young man, wearing heavy glasses and a yellow t-shirt, near the shrine at around 6.30pm to 6.40pm on the evening of the bomb. Critically, the footage – taken by a local Thai news agency – also purports to show the unidentified man depositing a black rucksack on a bench by the shrine.

What next?

The Thai PM Prayuth Chan-ocha has appealed for calm and attempted to reassure citizens and tourists that his government is doing everything it can. Thai authorities have deployed approximately 10,000 troops on roadblocks and checkpoints in an attempt to track down the suspects.

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