EASTER ATTACK: ‘Around 100 dead and 400 injured’ in church and hotel ‘suicide bomb’ explosions

HOSPITAL officials have said that ‘around 100 people are dead and 400 injured’ following explosions at three hotels and three churches in Sri Lanka.

One of the explosions tore through St Anthony’s Shrine in the capital Colombo, that was packed with worshippers on Easter Sunday.

St Anthony’s Shrine and the three hotels are in the capital Colombo, and are frequented by foreign tourists. The other two churches are in Negombo, a town north of Colombo, and the eastern town of Batticaloa.

Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has said: “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.”

A security official claimed suicide bombers were behind at least two of the blasts.

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

SLTDA urges the general public to depend on information from credible sources and refrain from sharing unverified news from unknown sources, which may instigate unnecessary fear among all of us, specially the tourists in Sri Lanka.

Full post: https://t.co/TuGsU60eZJ pic.twitter.com/0aGp21qYxn

— Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (@sltda_srilanka) April 21, 2019

A dashcam footage showing the blast which occurred this morning at Kochikade St. Anthony's church.#SriLanka #Lk pic.twitter.com/bIWctmTUup

— Kavinthan (@Kavinthans) April 21, 2019