Sri Lanka Blasts LIVE: Death toll in Colombo explosions rises to 215; 13 suspects held

A series of blasts rocked the Sri Lankan capital of Colombo and other parts of the country on Sunday morning on the occasion of Easter as near simultaneous explosions hit three churches and three hotels, frequented by tourists. Hours after the serial explosions, two more blasts have been reported taking the total number of blasts to 8. Over 180 people have been reported dead so far and more than 500 people have been reported injured. The blasts occurred at around 8.45 a.m. (local time) as the Easter Sunday masses were in progress in churches, police spokesman Ruwan Gunasekera said. Police officials have confirmed explosions at six places including St. Anthony's Church in Kochchikade, St. Sebastian Church in Katuwapitiya, Katana and a church in Batticaloa. The hotels where the blast took place include Shangri La hotel a popular five-star hotel of the city, Cinnamon Grand Hotel and Kingsbury Hotel.

Background

New Delhi:A series of blasts rocked the Sri Lankan capital of Colombo and other parts of the country on Sunday morning on the occasion of Easter as near simultaneous explosions hit three churches and three hotels, frequented by tourists. 25 people have been reported dead so far and about 150 people have been injured.Many reports of Sri Lankan media said the number of injured to be around 200.The blasts hit three high-end hotels and one church in Colombo, while two additional churches are targeted outside the capital.Police officials have confirmed explosions at six places including St. Anthony's Church in Kochchikade, St. Sebastian Church in Katuwapitiya, Katana and a church in Batticaloa.Sunday masses were underway at the churches, on the occasion of Easter.The hotels where the blast took place include, Shangri La hotel a popular five star hotel of the city, Cinnamon Grand Hotel and Kingsbury Hotel.The blasts occurred at around 8.45 a.m. (local time) as the Easter Sunday masses were in progress in churches, police spokesman Ruwan Gunasekera said.Initial reports had put the death toll at 10 and number of injured at 80.Images and videos of a church showed completely damaged roof of the building.It has not yet been confirmed whether or not these were terror attacks. Rescue operation is underway and an investigation has been started.External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj tweeted on the occasion and assured that she is keeping in constant touch with the Indian High Commissioner in Colombo."Colombo - I am in constant touch with Indian High Commissioner in Colombo. We are keeping a close watch on the situation. @IndiainSL" she tweeted.

21/04/2019 22:45:32

According to news agency IANS, five persons from Andhra Pradesh's Anantapur district had a narrow escape in the serial bomb blasts that rocked Sri Lanka on Sunday, killing over 200 people.

21/04/2019 22:12:04

13 suspects arrested by Police CCD in connection to Easter Sunday attacks in Sri Lanka's Colombo. 10 of them have been handed over to the CID, PTI quoted Police officials. These arrests include van and driver who are believed to have been used to transport the attackers involved in bombing.

21/04/2019 20:25:03

Death toll has rose to 215 after a string of eight devastating blasts, including suicide attacks, struck churches and luxury hotels frequented by foreigners in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday

21/04/2019 20:15:14

External Affairs Minister, Sushma Swaraj: Indian High Commission in Colombo has conveyed that National Hospital has informed them about the death of three Indian nationals. We are ascertaining further details.

21/04/2019 20:07:29

Telangana chief minister K Chandrashekar Rao expressed his condolences for the loss of innocent lives in the serial blasts at multiple locations in Sri Lanka's capital Colombo and said it was an heinous attack. In an official statement, Rao conveyed his condolences to the bereaved and hoped for speedy recovery of the injured.

21/04/2019 20:05:19

Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina expressed her deep concerns over the explosions which took place on Sunday morning.

21/04/2019 20:04:01

Accorrding to reports, a Indian woman has died in series attacks in Colombo. Reportedly, the woman was visiting Colombo to meet her relatives. She was killed at in a bomb attack at her hotel.

21/04/2019 18:06:55

According to news agency AFP, the suicide bomber waited patiently in a queue for the Easter Sunday breakfast buffet at Sri Lanka's Cinnamon Grand hotel before setting off explosives strapped to his back.

21/04/2019 18:02:28

First of all my deepest sympathy to all. We have taken all the necessary measures to keep the country safe. We have decided to impose an indefinite curfew to ensure things settle down. We shall not allow any extremist group operating in the country to do what they have been doing. Actions will be taken. Investigation is underway and all the culprits responsible for the deaths will be soon under custody: Sri Lanka's Minister of Defence and Mass Media, Ruwan Wijewardene

21/04/2019 17:49:18

According to news agency PTI, death toll in the Sri Lanka series blasts has climed up to 207

21/04/2019 17:44:52

Air India has waived all charges for rescheduling and cancellation of tickets to and from Colombo till April 24 in the wake of terror attacks in Sri Lanka that has killed more than 190 people.

21/04/2019 17:23:28

According to news agency PTI, the Goa government Sunday beefed up security at the churches across the state following a string of blasts in Sri Lanka that killed over 190 people earlier in the day.

21/04/2019 17:18:28

As per latestLocal media reported that tourists from India, Pakistan, US, Morocco and Bangladesh are also injured in the explosions.

21/04/2019 17:16:01

In the wake of the serial blasts which jolted Sri Lanka today, all state Universities in Colombo have been closed until further notice.

21/04/2019 17:13:26

So far Seven suspects have been arrested in connection with the series blasts in Sri Lank. Most of the blasts were suicide bomb attacks by one group, confirms State Defence Minister of Sri Lanka.

21/04/2019 16:41:08

I’m saddened & disturbed by reports of multiple bomb blasts in #Colombo in which over 100 people have died & more than 300 injured. I strongly condemn this diabolical act of terrorism. My condolences to the families of the victims. I pray the injured make a speedy recovery: Congress President Rahul Gandhi wrote on Twitter.

21/04/2019 16:34:38

Below are some images of people in grieve after eight blasts struck various churches and hotels in Sri Lanka today. (Image: ANI)

21/04/2019 16:34:32

Below are some images of people in grieve after eight blasts struck various churches and hotels in Sri Lanka today. (Image: ANI)

21/04/2019 16:23:03

Railways department of Sri Lanka has announced that all night-mail trains have been suspended for today in the wake of eight serial blasts that jolted Colombo.

21/04/2019 16:01:19

According to Sri Lanka Police, eighth blast in Colombo was a suicide bomb which killed three people.

21/04/2019 16:00:02

According to news agency AP, the Archbishop of Colombo is calling for those responsible for the Easter Sunday blasts in Sri Lanka to be punished mercilessly. Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith called on Sri Lanka’s government to launch a very impartial strong inquiry and to punish those found responsible mercilessly because only animals can behave like that.

21/04/2019 15:52:37

European President Jean-Claude Juncker, UK Prime Minister Theresa May, governments of United Arab Emirates and Bahrain have also condemn attacks on churches and hotels in Sri Lanka.

21/04/2019 15:45:15

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had telephone conversations with President and Prime Minister of Sri Lanka and conveyed heart-felt condolences on his own behalf and on behalf of all Indians at the loss of over one hundred and fifty innocent lives in today’s terrorist attacks in Sri Lanka.

21/04/2019 15:43:00

Government officials also has said major social media networks and messaging apps, including Facebook and WhatsApp, have been blocked inside the country to prevent misinformation and rumours.

21/04/2019 15:42:48

The Sri Lankan government has declared a curfew with immediate effect, junior defence minister Ruwan Wijewardene has said, following the eighth explosion. “A curfew will be imposed until things settle down,” he told the reporters in Colombo.

21/04/2019 15:34:56

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 authorized to speak with reporters.

21/04/2019 15:08:44

Sri Lanka defence minister orders night curfew after blasts (AFP)

21/04/2019 14:52:44

Over 500 people have been injured in the blasts, so far.

21/04/2019 14:47:37

The seventh attack hit a hotel in the southern Colombo suburb of Dehiwala, after a string of explosions at churches and hotels in Sri Lanka's capital

21/04/2019 14:41:27

As per reports the seventh blast took place in Dehiwala near Colombo

21/04/2019 14:31:04

The death toll after fresh explosion now stands at 187.

21/04/2019 14:30:12

A seventh blast took place in the Sri Lankan capital Colombo, hours after a series of six blasts ripped through churches and popular hotels of the city. Two people have been reported dead in the seventh blast, reports said.

21/04/2019 14:01:30

No reports of any Indian casualty so far

21/04/2019 12:32:49

Sri Lanka police chief warned of possible suicide attacks before Sunday blasts: document;

(AFP)

21/04/2019 12:29:42

At least nine foreigners dead in Sri Lanka blasts: reports AFP

21/04/2019 12:24:34

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

21/04/2019 12:04:19

The death toll in serial blasts has risen to 160. As per reports over 350 have been injured.

21/04/2019 11:41:05

As per the latest figures, death toll in Colombo blasts has crossed the mark of 100.

21/04/2019 11:19:16

As per latest information, 99 people have been reported dead, while over 150 are injured. Those injured have been rushed for medical assistance.

21/04/2019 11:18:28

Sri Lanka PM Ranil Wickremesinghe calls for emergency meeting to discuss security situation in the wake of serial blasts in six churches and hotels

21/04/2019 11:08:17

The blasts occurred at around 8.45 a.m. (local time) as the Easter Sunday masses were in progress in churches, police spokesman Ruwan Gunasekera said.

21/04/2019 11:08:01

The hotels where the blast took place include, Shangri La hotel a popular five star hotel of the city, Cinnamon Grand Hotel and Kingsbury Hotel.

21/04/2019 11:07:38

Police officials have confirmed explosions at six places including St. Anthony's Church in Kochchikade, St. Sebastian Church in Katuwapitiya, Katana and a church in Batticaloa.

Sunday masses were underway at the churches, on the occasion of Easter.

21/04/2019 11:07:14

The blasts hit three high-end hotels and one church in Colombo, while two additional churches are targeted outside the capital.

21/04/2019 11:06:57

25 people have been reported dead so far and about 150 people have been injured.

21/04/2019 11:06:50

A series of blasts rocked the Sri Lankan capital of Colombo and other parts of the country on Sunday morning on the occasion of Easter, as explosions hit three churches and three hotels, frequented by tourists.