Bombings at 6 churches and hotels in Sri Lanka kill hundreds
Six explosions occurred at three churches and three hotels in the capital Colombo and surrounding areas, injuring hundreds of people.
The first explosion occurred at St. Anthony's Shrine in the capital Colombo of the South Asian country of Sri Lanka and St. Sebastian's Church in Negombo north of Colombo at around 8:45 a.m. (10:15 a.m. Hanoi time) on April 21, right on the occasion of Catholic Easter.
"The church was bombed, please come help if your relatives are here," St Sebastian's Church wrote on Facebook, posting photos showing the rubble after the explosion, blood on the pews and floor.
Shortly after the two explosions, police confirmed that three five-star hotels in the capital, including the Shangri-La, Cinnamon Grand, Kingsbury, and the Zion Church in the eastern town of Batticalao, were also attacked. The Cinnamon Grand is located near the residence of the Sri Lankan Prime Minister. Hotel management said the explosion "tore apart a restaurant" there.
Police said more than 400 people were injured and 137 people were killed, including 45 in Colombo, 67 in Negombo and 25 in Batticaloa.
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Walls and roof of St. Anthony's Shrine damaged. Photo:Twitter. |
Sri Lankan Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera wrote on Twitter that the attacks appeared to be a "coordinated attempt to kill and cause chaos".
Minister of Economic Reforms and Public Distribution Harsha de Silva visited the scene of the two hotels and a church that were attacked. He said the scene was “horrifying”. “I saw many body parts scattered everywhere. There were many casualties, including foreigners,” he wrote on Twitter.
All schools in the island nation will be closed on April 22 and 23. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe convened an emergency meeting of the National Security Council.
"I call on all Sri Lankans in this tragic time to stand united and strong," Wickremesinghe wrote on Twitter.
Sri Lanka is an island nation with a 1,340 km long coastline located in the Indian Ocean with a population of 22 million people. 70% of the population is Buddhist, 6% of the population is Catholic.
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The places where the explosions occurred. Graphics:BBC. |
