- 21 Apr 2019 08:10
#15000275
A very large attack, coordinated in 4 separate places :
Summary:
At least six blasts have hit hotels and churches across Sri Lanka with at least 137 dead and many more injured
The five-star Shangri La, Kingsbury and Cinnamon Grand hotels in the heart of Colombo were targeted
Congregations were taking part in Easter Sunday services at the churches when the blasts hit
The death toll could rise significantly as hospitals report casualty figures
Live updates:
The death toll is rising quickly and the latest count puts the number of dead at 137. Hundreds more have been injured and are being treated in hospitals around the country.
A reporter for the BBC's Sinhala Service, Azzam Ameen, is at the scene of one of the attacks, at Saint Anthony's Church in Colombo.
He says: "No one was expecting it, it was a peaceful Sunday morning – everyone was going for their Easter Sunday prayers and then suddenly, this attack.
"I’ve spoken to several priests who were in the church and they were really shocked. The intelligence police too – they were shocked. It was a well planned, well-coordinated attack.
"I’ve spoken to the security chief who was there and they are really clueless at the moment. It’s too early to say who is behind it.
"After the Tamil Tigers, who were eradicated in 2009, Sri Lanka hasn’t really seen this kind of incident – Sri Lankans are shocked at the moment.
"Security has been tightened in all the major cities as there is some panic – expecting more attacks."
A very large attack, coordinated in 4 separate places :
At least 137 people have been killed and hundreds more injured in explosions at churches and hotels in Sri Lanka, police and hospital sources say.
At least six explosions have been reported. Three churches in Kochchikade, Negombo and Batticaloa were targeted during Easter services.
The Shangri La, Cinnamon Grand and Kingsbury hotels, all in Colombo, were also hit.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-48001720