More Than 200 People Were Killed in Explosions in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday
As Christians gathered to celebrate Easter Sunday services in Sri Lanka this morning, a coordinated bombing attack on churches and luxury hotels killed more than 200 people, injuring an additional 450, a police spokesperson has said. At least 27 foreign nationals are believed to be among the dead.
A total of eight blasts have been reported, targeting three churches: St. Anthony’s Shrine in Colombo, St. Sebastian’s Church in Negombo, and Zion Church in Batticaloa. The Shangri-La, the Cinnamon Grand, and the Kingsbury hotels in Colombo, the capital city of Sri Lanka, were all targeted as well.
The explosions were called a "well-coordinated attempt to create murder, mayhem and anarchy” by the Sri Lankan finance minister Mangala Samarweera.
According to the BBC, a national curfew has been mandated "until further notice." The publication also notes that "social media networks have been temporarily blocked."
“It has been 10 years since we last saw this kind of horror,” the country's defense secretary Hemasiri Fernando, said, according to the New York Times.
The Times further explains that only a decade ago Sri Lanka stabilized following a violent 26-year civil war during which suicide bombing was tragically common.
At this point, seven people have been arrested in association with this morning's bombings. “We believe these were coordinated attacks, and one group was behind them,” defense minister Ruwan Wijewardene said.
In the wake of the tragedy, several world leaders have expressed their condolences.
This morning U.S. President Donald Trump tweeted, "The United States offers heartfelt condolences to the great people of Sri Lanka. We stand ready to help!"
138 people have been killed in Sri Lanka, with more that 600 badly injured, in a terrorist attack on churches and hotels. The United States offers heartfelt condolences to the great people of Sri Lanka. We stand ready to help!
- Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 21, 2019
As did U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May.
"The acts of violence against churches and hotels in Sri Lanka are truly appalling, and my deepest sympathies go out to all of those affected at this tragic time," she wrote.
The acts of violence against churches and hotels in Sri Lanka are truly appalling, and my deepest sympathies go out to all of those affected at this tragic time.
We must stand together to make sure that no one should ever have to practise their faith in fear.- Theresa May (@theresa_may) April 21, 2019
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