Bangkok explosion draws worldwide condemnation

BANGKOK - International organizations and foreign countries have strongly condemned Monday's deadly blast in downtown Bangkok, expressing deep sympathy and solidarity with the victims and Thailand.

Thai official information showed that 22 people, including four Chinese nationals, have been killed and at least more than 120 people injured in the explosion near the Erawan Shrine at Ratchaprasong intersection, a popular destination for domestic and foreign tourists in central Bangkok, on Monday evening.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said Monday that he "was shocked to learn of the explosion in Bangkok today close to the Erawan Shrine and the loss of life of innocent civilians," and voiced his hope that "those responsible will be brought to justice."

He "expresses his condolences to the bereaved families and to the people and government of Thailand, and wishes those injured a quick recovery," said a statement issued by Ban's spokesman.

The European Union (EU) on Monday also expressed condolences over the bomb attack.

"The EU expresses its sincere condolences to the families of the victims and wishes a speedy recovery to all those wounded. Our thoughts are with the people of Thailand at this time of shock and grief," said a statement by the spokesperson for the European External Action Service.

China's Foreign Ministry has initiated an emergency response after the explosion, and demanded the Chinese embassy in Thailand find out what has happened and go all-out to help treat the injured people, the ministry's spokesperson's office announced in a press release early Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the United States National Security Council also denounced the explosion. "The United States extends our deepest condolences to all of those affected by the explosion in Bangkok, Thailand," spokesman Ned Price said Monday.

"The United States condemns this deplorable act of violence, and our thoughts are with the victims, their families and loved ones, and the Thai emergency personnel responding to the incident. The United States will remain in close contact with the Thai authorities as they investigate this attack," Price said in a White House press release.

Singapore's Foreign Ministry on Monday night also sharply censured the brutal attack against civilians, extending condolences to families and relatives of the victims and wishing a quick recovery to those injured.