Death toll in serial blasts surges to 290, police arrest 24 suspects

The death toll from a series of eight blasts on churches and luxury hotels across Sri Lanka, witnessed a sharp surge on Monday rising to 290 police said.

More than 500 people were wounded in the blasts, police spokesman Ruwan Gunasekera said. The death toll overnight stood at 215. Eight coordinated explosions targeted Easter worshippers and high end hotels popular with international guests.