Easter Sunday Blasts: Deadly explosion kills 207, Sri Lankan Prime Minister urges people to stay united and strong

• At least 207 people are dead and 450 others have been injured after a series of explosions hit churches and hotels in Sri Lanka.
• The churches were bombed as worshippers attended Easter Sunday service.
• The hotels targeted are among the most luxurious in Sri Lanka's capital. 35 foreigners have been killed, AFP cited hospital sources as saying.
  Eight explosions in various locations have now been reported.
  

At least 207 people were killed in a series of blasts on Easter Sunday Blasts in Sri Lanka, targeting three churches and three hotels.

As of 1 pm, more than 400 people were wounded and hospitalized, reported Reuters.

AFP news agency quoting Sri Lankan Police said the toll in Sri Lanka blasts had risen to 156, including 35 foreigners.

The blasts took place at three churches located at Kochchikade, Negombo and Batticaloa. The three hotels that were targeted are located in Colombo, and include Shangri La Colombo, Cinnamon Grand Colombo, and Kingsbury Hotel, according to media reports.

The Sri Lankan Prime Minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe, has urged the people to remain strong and united in the tragic time. The Prime Minister is reportedly going to conduct a national security council meeting at his house.

Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena, in a special message read out on local news channels, has requested the people to remain calm and help the authorities in the investigation.

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi has condemned the attack and said the country stands in solidarity with the people of Sri Lanka.



Indian President Ram Nath Kovind also condemned the attack.


St. Sebastian’s church, which was among the target, posted pictures showing destructions and bloodshed after the blast on its Facebook Page and urged people to help. The post read “A bomb attack to our church please come and help if your family members are there”

No one has yet claimed responsibility for the attacks.

Several peace messages "Pray For Sri Lanka" were trending on social media. Messages and prayers also poured in from celebrities.


Former Sri Lankan captain of the cricket team, Angelo Mathews in a recent tweet has requested people to not to believe in rumors.


A travel advisory had been issued by the US embassy in Colombo advising citizens to follow local security instructions and “exercise extreme caution.”

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said on Sunday that she was in touch with the Indian High Commissioner in Colombo as six explosions hit churches and hotels in Sri Lanka, killing at least 20 people.

"Colombo - I am in constant touch with Indian High Commissioner in Colombo. We are keeping a close watch on the situation," the Minister said in a tweet.


Helpline numbers for Indian citizens in need of assistance or who seek clarification are: +94777903082, +94112422788, +94112422789, +94777902082 and +94772234176.

With IANS