Thai Officials Decry Bangkok Blast That Killed 27, Saying Attack Targeted Economy

A blast in Bangkok on Monday killed 27 and injured 78 in what government officials are saying is an attempt to ruin the capital's booming tourism industry.

Defense Minister Prawit Wongsuwan said in a statement that the blast that occurred Monday morning outside of the Erawan Hindu shrine in one of the capital's city centers was angled at destroying the country's economy.

"The perpetrators intended to destroy the economy and tourism, because the incident occurred in the heart of the tourism district," Wongsuwan told Reuters following the blast, which happened when a bomb strapped to a motorcycle exploded.

Rescue workers who helped remove bodies from the scene of the blast recalled the horror of the attack, with one anonymous civilian telling the AFP: "It was a bomb, I think it was inside a motorcycle [...] it was very big, look at the bodies."

As Reuters reports, the Thai government has been battling a small Islamic extremist group stationed in the country's south, but rarely do the extremists venture into the country capital to carry out attacks.

Following the blast, police confirmed that they are dealing with a second active bomb discovered by authorities near the Erawan Shrine, and have sealed off the area while the second bomb is diffused.

"The situation is still not safe. Please all stay back. There might be another bomb in the area," an officer reportedly announced over the loudspeaker from the Erawan Shrine, as reported by CNN.