18 Dead As Blast Rocks Thailand

At least 18 people have been killed after a bomb exploded in central Bangkok, emergency services have said. Media in the Thai capital suggest the death toll could be as high as 27 and that four foreigners are among the dead.

The blast happened at 7pm (1pm UK time) near the Erawan Hindu shrine in the downtown Chidlom district - a shopping hub popular among tourists.

At least 117 people have been wounded, some of whom have lost limbs.

A second bomb inside the shrine was reportedly discovered and defused, while there are reports of a third device on a train that teams have now neutralised.

CCTV footage showed a huge orange fireball as the bomb exploded and people fleeing down the street.

Witnesses described seeing bodies "shredded" in the street, while locals said the explosion sounded similar to a loud thunderclap.

Some reports suggest the bomb was inside the shrine, while others say it was on one of six motorcycles seen strewn across the street in the aftermath.

Many of those wounded are from China and Taiwan, local media say.

No-one has claimed responsibility for the attack.

One government minister said he believes the attackers chose the shrine to damage the tourism industry and the economy.