Over 200 Killed, Hundreds Injured in Series of Blasts at Sri Lankan Hotels and Churches

World

A series of eight explosions rocked Catholic churches and luxury hotels in Sri Lanka as Christians began Easter Sunday celebrations, with over 200 killed and hundreds injured, media reported, citing police.

According to RT, the blasts started at around 8:45am local time at St. Anthony’s Church in Colombo and St. Sebastian’s Church in Negombo, a Catholic-majority town outside of the capital. The Zion Church in Batticaloa on the eastern coast was also targeted. At around the same time, the Shangri-La, Cinnamon Grand and Kingsbury five-star hotels were also hit, police confirmed.

Two more explosions happened later in the day, targeting two more locations in Colombo. All attacks appear to have been coordinated.

At least 207 people were killed, Reuters reported, citing police. More than 450 were injured in the attacks.

 ‘Body parts strewn all over’

According to Press TV, Sri Lankan MP Harsha de Silva tweeted that there had been “foreigners” among the casualties. He said he had been to one of the churches and one of the hotels and seen “horrible scenes,” adding, “I saw many body parts strewn all over. Emergency crews are at all locations in full force.”

Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena said he was shocked by the incidents and appealed for calm.

Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera tweeted that the attacks appeared to be a “well-coordinated attempt to create murder, mayhem & anarchy.”

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe condemned the “cowardly attacks” and urged Sri Lankans to remain “united and strong.”

R.S

You might also like
World

Lavrov calls for increasing urgent humanitarian aid to the Syrian people

World

Prayers in Saint Georges Patriarchal Cathedral in Bab Touma in memory of the martyrs…

World

US Private Military Companies Plunder Syrian Oil Facilities

World

All JCPOA Signatories Call for Saving the Pact, Says China

Latest news
Muslim World League Welcomes EU’s Lifting of Sanctions on Syria as a Positive Step Forward Restoration Project of the Cultural Stairway Launched in Lattakia privince Syrian-Jordanian Agreement on Unified Fees… and 11 Weekly Flights to Damascus Jordanian Foreign Minister: My Visit to Damascus Was Fruitful Minister of Local Administration and Environment Discusses Cooperation with Swiss Mission in Damascu... Damascus Chamber of Commerce: lifting economic sanctions is a positive step toward rebuilding bridge... Jordanian Delegation to Visit Syria Next Week to Explore Economic and Investment Cooperation U.S. Secretary of State: Action must be taken at the congressional level to develop the private sect... Syrian , Turkish Defense Officials Discuss Enhancing Cooperation to Support Regional Stability Turkish Minister of Treasury and Finance: A Stable and Prosperous Syria Is a Major Gain for the Regi... Minister of Education Discusses Support for Education Sector with UK Minister for the Middle East Minister of Health Discusses Opportunities for Joint Cooperation with Head of Global Development at ... Syria , Jordan Sign MoU to Establish High Coordination Council Press conference for Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Al-Sheibani and his Jordanian count... UN , Saudi Arabia Sign Agreement to Rehabilitate Bakeries in Syria Minister of Health meets a number of his counterparts in Geneva Syria is among the world's top 10 pistachio-producing countries Foreign Minister Al-Sheibani Receives a  High-Level Jordanian Delegation in Damascus to Establish Jo... Kallas: We hope the EU will reach a decision today to lift sanctions on Syria Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi Visits Damascus at the Head of a High-Level Ministerial Dele...