A shaken region tallies its losses
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AT LEAST seven foreigners were among the 20 casualties in the fatal blast that rocked the heart of Bangkok on Monday night, a government spokesman said yesterday.
Maj-General Sansern Kaewkamnerd said the victims consisted of two from Malaysia, two from China, two from Hong Kong and one from Singapore.
However, the Police General Hospital in Bangkok gave different figures, saying nine were foreigners. The hospital said the dead consisted of two from Hong Kong, four Malaysians, one Singaporean, one Indonesian and one Chinese.
The Star online reported that four Malaysians who were part of a seven-member family on a trip to Thailand were killed. Businessman Visen Lim Gim Seong, 46, a close friend of the family, said they were supposed to return on Tuesday. He said he has known the family for over 10 years as they were neighbours.
“They left for Bangkok last Saturday by train and were supposed to return this morning,” said Lim, weeping as he spoke outside the family’s home in Taman Dedap in Penang. Lim said it was not uncommon for the family to travel together as they had done so many times in the past.
Meanwhile, the China Daily reported that two Hong Kong residents, both women aged 19 and 24, died in the explosion. Six other Hong Kong residents were injured and have been sent to local hospitals for treatment.
Three Hong Kong immigration officers were sent to Bangkok yesterday to assist the victims and their families. The Immigration Department advised residents already there to attend to personal safety and remain in safe areas.
In Indonesia, the Foreign Ministry confirmed that two Indonesians were victims, with one of them dead.
The official Twitter account of the ministry announced the news yesterday, The Jakarta Post said. “Govt has learned 1 Indonesian national killed and 1 injured in ICU #Bangkok Bombing #prayforbangkok,” the account under the name @Portal_Kemlu_RI said.
The Singapore Foreign Affairs Ministry also confirmed that a Singaporean woman in her 30s was killed in the bomb blast. “Our Embassy in Bangkok is currently providing consular assistance to the family of the deceased,” it said in a statement.
“We extend our deepest condolences to the bereaved family for their loss. We are deeply saddened by this development, and reiterate our strong condemnation of this indiscriminate act of violence.”
Police Maj-General Dr Pornchai Suteerakune, commander of the Institute of Forensic Medicine, said she died on the spot.
It is understood the woman’s husband and brother were injured in the blast.
MFA added that Chua Siew San, Singapore’s ambassador to Thailand, visited injured Singaporeans at various local hospitals yesterday morning. All are receiving medical attention, while those with light injuries have been discharged.
The ninth foreign national who died from the blast is Chinese. Six Thais died while five casualties remain unidentified.
