[WATCH] Bomb blast shocks central Bangkok

#Bangkok pic.twitter.com/Wtlj22j8wh

— Ti JaaZ (@tijaaz) August 17, 2015

International media report that there has been a large explosion close to a shrine in the centre of the Thai capital, Bangkok. The attack took place close to the Erawan Shrine in the capital's central Chidlom district.

The bomb reportedly exploded at about 19:00 local time and local media have reported that at least 27 people have died and some 80 others were injured, however numbers are expected to rise as emergency services are still ongoing. According to Reuters, four of the victims are foreigners, with two of the victims appearing to be Chinese nationals and another victim appearing to be from the Philippines.

A spokesperson for the foreign affairs ministry confirmed with MaltaToday that no Maltese nationals have been reported injured or killed int he blast. 

The BBC adds that there is a huge amount of chaos with body parts scattered everywhere and a crater that confirms the theory of a bomb attack. The area is said to be a very well known area next to a five-star hotel, and it is a shrine to the Hindu god Brahma but is also visited by thousands of Buddhists each day.

National police spokesman Lt Gen Prawut Thavornsiri told Agence France-Presse news agency: "I can confirm it was a bomb, we can't tell which kind yet, we are checking."

The explosion was on the Rajprasong intersection, which has been the centre of political demonstrations in recent years, but the BBC adds, bomb attacks are very rare in Bangkok.

No-one has yet claimed the attack and the Bangkok Post has said that at least one more bomb has been made safe by officers in the Ratchaprasong area. The second bomb inside the shrine was defused. Police forces are still inspecting the scene amid fears of other bombs being stored around the city. Channel NewsAsia has reported that the two remaining bombs have been defused after officials and sniffer dogs were brought in.

Reuters  reports that police believe the bomb may have been attached to a motorbike.

There has been a Muslim insurgency in the country in recent months, but this has been largely confined to the south of the country and attacks rarely take place elsewhere. Bangkok has however seen a decade of sometimes violent rivalry between political factions, with the military taking over ruling the country in May last year, removing an elected government following months of unrest.

Maltese nationals whose relatives are in Bangkok may contact the Duty Officer, Ministry for Foreign Affairs on 79476382.