At least 138 people are dead and hundreds more injured in simultaneous attacks that appear to be coordinated at several high-end hotels and churches in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday, according to multiple media reports.
At least six different explosions were reported to hit hotels and churches as worshippers gathered for Easter service in the cities of Colombo, Negombo and Batticaloa, according to the Associated Press. CNN put the number of blasts at eight in total.
Sri Lanka security officials said the simultaneous explosions hit three churches and three hotels frequented by tourists, the AP reports. Nearly 500 people have been hospitalized from injuries, the state-run Daily News reported.
At least 20 foreigners are among the dead in Colombo, according to hospital Director General Anil Jasinghe.
Two of the blasts were suspected to have been carried out by suicide bombers, according to the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak with reporters. Worshippers and hotel guests were among the dead, the official said. No one has claimed responsiblity for the explosions as of early Sunday morning.
It’s the worst spout of violence in Sri Lanka since the South Asian country’s bloody civil war ended a decade ago.
The first blast rang through St. Anthony’s Shrine in Colombo.
Alex Agileson, who was in the vicinity, said buildings in the surrounding area shook with the blast, according to the AP.
He said a number of injured were carried in ambulances.
A second explosion was reported at St. Sebastian’s Church in Negombo, a Catholic majority town north of Colombo.
Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe condemned the attacks and warned against spreading unverified reports in a statement issued on Twitter.
“I call upon all Sri Lankans during this tragic time to remain united and strong. Please avoid propagating unverified reports and speculation,” he said. “The government is taking immediate steps to contain this situation.”
President Donald Trump tweeted his condolences to the victims early Sunday morning, but incorrectly stated the explosions killed “at least 138 million people” when multiple reports said hundreds had been killed. The inaccurate tweet stayed up for 20 minutes before it was deleted and a new statement was issued with the same pledge to help, but with an accurate number of casualties.
