Colombo: At least 207 people were killed and 450 hospitalised from injuries in near simultaneous blasts that rocked three churches and three luxury hotels in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday, in the biggest violence in the South Asian country since its civil war ended a decade ago.
Two of the blasts were suspected to have been carried out by suicide bombers, according to the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity as he was not authorised to speak with reporters.
Worshippers and hotel guests were among the dead, the official said.
St. Anthony's Shrine and the three hotels where the blasts took place are in Colombo, and are frequented by foreign tourists. A National Hospital spokesman, Dr. Samindi Samarakoon, told AP they received 47 dead, including nine foreigners, and were treating more than 200 wounded.
Other blasts were reported at St. Sebastian's Church in Negombo, a majority Catholic town north of Colombo, and at Zion Church in the eastern town of Batticaloa.
The Archbishop of Colombo, who leads the St. Sebastian's and St. Anthony's churches, on Sunday condemned the attacks and appealed for blood donations to those injured.
Footages also showed damage at the Kingsbury hotel, including blown-out windows and blood stains on the ground.
Sri Lankan security officials said they were investigating, and police officials immediately sealed off the areas.
No one has claimed responsibility for Sunday's blasts.
Indian Mission in Sri Lanka is closely monitoring the situation. Indian citizens in need of assistance or help and seeking clarification may call the following
Helpline Numbers:
+94777903082
+94112422788
+94112422789
