AKIPRESS.COM - Nineteen people were killed and at least 117 others injured in an explosion in downtown Bangkok on Monday night, the Chinese embassy in Thailand cited Thai health authorities as saying.

Three Chinese nationals were killed, and around 15 others hurt, some of whom sustain moderate and severe injuries, in the blast that happened at about 7 p.m. local time near Erawan Shrine at Ratchaprasong intersection, a popular destination for domestic and foreign tourists, the embassy said, reports Xinhua state news agency.

Among the killed were also 10 Thais, one Filipino, and five others whose identities are yet to be confirmed, it added.

The explosive was planted by attackers and aimed at taking lives, national police chief Somyot Pumpunmuang said.

The injured have been rushed to nearby hospitals, according to Thai police.