Series of bomb explosions in churches and hotels kill 70 in Sri Lanka
Colombo, Apr 21 (IBNS): In one of the worst terror strikes in recent times, at least 70 people were killed and over 200 injured in a series of bomb blasts in Sri Lanka with churches and hotels among the prime targets, said officials on Sunday.
According to the Sri Lanka government's official news portal, at least 70 were killed while about 260 injured were admitted to Colombo National Hospital.
The blasts were reported from mainly national capital Colombo region.
At least six explosions have been reported on Sunday.
Three churches in Kochchikade in Kotahena, Katuwapitiya Church in Negombo and the Zion Church in Batticaloa were targetted.
Besides the deaths, officials said at least 35 persons have been injured in the explosion at Katuwapitiya Church in Negombo.
Explosions have also been reported from several hotels in the country. The Shangri-La, the Cinnamon Grand, and the Kingsbury Hotels in Colombo have been attacked.
Sri Lankan Minister of Economic Reforms and Public Distribution Harsha deSilva said: "Horrible scenes. I saw many body parts strewn all over. Emergency crews are at all locations in full force. We, at 1990 also have close to 20 units at the various locations. We took multiple casualties to hospital. Hopefully saved many lives."
Horrible scenes. I saw many body parts strewn all over. Emergency crews are at all locations in full force. We, at 1990 also have close to 20 units at the various locations. We took multiple casualties to hospital. Hopefully saved many lives.
— Harsha de Silva (@HarshadeSilvaMP) April 21, 2019
Sec Defence and I am at Kochchikade church. Also was at ShangriLa n Kingsbury. PM is on his way from Bentota. Emergency meeting called in a few minutes. Rescue operations underway. Please stay calm and indoors. Many casualties including foreigners.
— Harsha de Silva (@HarshadeSilvaMP) April 21, 2019
Sri Lankan media reports have claimed that foreign tourists may be among the casualties.
No organization has claimed the responsibility of the attack yet.
The attacks happened amid Easter service on Sunday, which is one of the major feasts in the Christian calendar.
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe urged all to remain united and strong and not be swayed by speculations or unverified reports.
I strongly condemn the cowardly attacks on our people today. I call upon all Sri Lankans during this tragic time to remain united and strong. Please avoid propagating unverified reports and speculation. The government is taking immediate steps to contain this situation.
— Ranil Wickremesinghe (@RW_UNP) April 21, 2019
Sri Lanka witnessed one of the worst civil wars between 1983 and 2009, with an insurgency against the government by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (the LTTE, also known as the Tamil Tigers), which fought to create an independent Tamil state called Tamil Eelam in the north and the east of the island, claiming an estimated 80,000–100,000 lives in 25 years.
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