BEIJING -- China's Foreign Ministry has initiated an emergency response after an explosion hit downtown Bangkok Monday night that has killed 19 people, including three Chinese nationals.

The Foreign Ministry has also demanded 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.

At least 117 people, including about 15 Chinese citizens, were injured 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.