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CCTV video posted on Facebook appears to show the moment a huge explosion struck Bangkok, causing the deaths of at least twelve people in the Thai capital.
Local media said the blast happened in Ratchaprasong, a road intersection and shopping district near the Erawan Shrine.
In the video, a flash of bright orange can be seen in the distance, with pedestrians along the pavement instantly turning around and fleeing from near to where the explosion appears to have occurred.
A woman and what looks like her children are seen running along the street, with two of them falling to the ground as they try to escape the blast area. Debris of some sort falls onto road a few seconds after the blast, causing cars to come to a halt.
The Thai national police chief told Reuters India it had been caused by a bomb but no further details were immediately available.
Show all 10 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
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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
Photos posted online showed car windows smashed and debris littering the streets as the area was cordoned off by emergency services.
Additional reporting by Reuters
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