An injured person is rushed to receive medical treatment at Police Hospital after a bomb explosion near Erawan Shrine, central Bangkok, Thailand, August 17. [Photo/IC]

22 killed, more than 120 injured

Thai police said earlier that at least 22 people, including four Chinese nationals, were killed in the blast, said the Chinese embassy in Thailand on Tuesday.

Over 120 people, including more than 20 Chinese, were injured in the blast, according to the embassy.

The explosives were planted and aimed at taking lives, national police chief Somyot Pumpunmuang said.

The injured, including Thais, Chinese nationals and Filipinos, were taken to nearby hospitals, according to the police.

The Chinese embassy in Thailand was trying to confirm the exact number of Chinese citizens killed or injured, while the consulate general was leading a contingency team that went to hospitals to make sure injured Chinese were properly treated.

The embassy sent translators to the hospitals to help with communication.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the blast, which occurred just outside the Erawan shrine at a major intersection.