A popular temple in central Bangkok dedicated to Brahma - the Hindu god of creation - has been the target of a bombing on Monday, killing 22 people and leaving more than 120 injured.

The deadly incident occurred at 12:00 GMT. The improvised explosive device, which authorities have since confirmed to be pipe bomb, was concealed inside the Erawan Shrine near the Grand Hyatt hotel in Bangkok.

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Thai police say the explosion killed 12 people on the scene. The other victims died after being transported to a local hospital. The explosion, which left debris of scattered human flesh and burnt motorcycle parts, also destroyed the Ratchprasong intersection - a center popular for political demonstrations.

Authorities have confirmed that many foreigners - particularly - Asians are among the casualties.  Thailand's national police Chief Somyot Pumpanmuang said Chinese and Filipino tourists are among the victims who lost their lives in the blast.

The Chinese Embassy in Bangkok said three Chinese nationals were killed in the blast, while 15 others were seriously injured. The Hong Kong Immigration Department also confirmed that three of its residents sustained several injuries following the blast.

China's Foreign Ministry has initiated an emergency response to the explosion, ordering the Chinese embassy in Thailand to investigate the incident. Officials have demanded that the Chinese embassy spares no expenses in providing the injured with medical care.

Although no group has claimed responsibly for the attack, authorities say the perpetrators aimed to cripple Thailand's tourism and economy. Tourism accounts for around one-tenth of the country's economy. The targeted area in downtown Chidlom is popular with locals and tourists alike. Many go to offer prayers in the area while others are drawn by the luxury hotels.

Prawit Wongsuwan, Thailand's Defense Minister said "The perpetrators intended to destroy the economy and tourism because the incident occurred in the heart of the tourism district."

Wongsuwan, who offered condolences to the families of the victims, said authorities would conduct investigations into the blast. He stressed that it is too early to declare if the blast was politically triggered.

Although the Thai government is fighting a Muslim insurgency in the south, authorities say the blast is unlike the method operandi of the rebels. The rebels fighting for the independence of a state in the south rarely attack outside the area and have never targeted tourists.

TagsBangkok Bombing, Bangkok Bombing 2015, Bangkok Brahma Temple Bombing, Erawan Shrine Bombing, Thailand Bombing