Sri Lanka news: Five British citizens among more than 200 killed after eight explosions hit churches and hotels
Security officials arrest 13 suspects over Easter Sunday violence
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Your support makes all the difference.More than 200 people have been killed and hundreds more injured after eight bombs were detonated at churches and hotels in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday.
Ruwan Wijewardena, the country’s defence minister, described the blasts as terrorist attacks by religious extremists, though no group has claimed responsibility for the violence.
Most of the explosions are believed to have been suicide bombings, which occurred at sites mainly in and around the capital of Colombo.
Officials said that 13 suspects had been arrested in connection to the attacks.
Three police officers were also killed while carrying out a security raid at a suspected safe house several hours after the blasts occurred.
The majority of the victims are Sri Lankan but several citizens of other countries were also killed.
At least five British citizens lost their lives in the attacks.
Citizens from the US, Turkey, Denmark, China and Portugal were also among the dead.
The Sri Lankan government has declared a dawn-to-dusk curfew in Colombo and blocked access to social media and messaging sites, including Facebook and WhatsApp.
It is unclear when the curfew will be lifted.
Additional reporting by agencies
If you would like to read about the aftermath of the attacks please see what was our live coverage below:
Dr Samiddhi Samarakoon, a deputy director of the National Hospital of Sri Lanka, has told The New York Times that the death toll has risen to 189 people.
The Foreign Office has updated information for British citizens in Sri Lanka.
It stated: “The airport is operating, but with increased security checks. Some airlines are advising their passengers to arrive early for check-in, in light of increased security screening. If you are in Sri Lanka, please follow the advice of local security authorities, hotel security staff or your tour company. You should avoid large gatherings.
“If you are in Sri Lanka and you are safe, we advise that you contact family and friends to let them know that you are safe.”
Read all the updated details here:
Britain’s high commissioner to Sri Lanka James Dauris has confirmed UK citizens haven “caught up” in the bombings, but could not confirm whether there had been casualties.
He said: “We that some British citizens were caught in the blasts but we are unable to say how many people are, or might have been, affected.”
Mr Dauris added: “Earlier today a series of explosions took place in hotels and churches in Colombo, in Negombo and in Batticaloa on Sri Lanka’s east coast. The churches were busy with Easter Sunday worshippers, the hotels with local people and foreign visitors.
“Reports suggest that several dozen people have been killed and hundreds injured in these evil and senseless attacks. Our prayers are with all of the victims and their families.”
AFP earlier reported that hospital sources said British, Dutch and American citizens were among the dead, but this has not yet been confirmed by police or government officials.
Police have told AFP that the eighth explosion, at a housing complex in the Colombo district of Dematagoda, was a suicide bomb and it killed three police officers.
A Reuters reporter said the explosion had taken place at the Mahawila Housing Scheme.
Pope Francis has condemned attacks in Sri Lanka as “such cruel violence”.
Speaking in St Peter’s Square to hear his Easter Sunday message, he said: “I learned with sadness and pain of the news of the grave attacks, that precisely today, Easter, brought mourning and pain to churches and other places where people were gathered in Sri Lanka.”
“I wish to express my affectionate closeness to the Christian community, hit while it was gathered in prayer, and to all the victims of such cruel violence.”
“I entrust to the Lord those who have tragically died and I pray for the wounded and for all those who are suffering as a result of this dramatic event,” he added.
The Pope delivers his “Urbi et Orbi” (“to the city and the world”) message in St Peter’s Square (AP)
Sri Lankan prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has promised “stern action” against those responsible for the bombings. Watch his speech here:
Donald Trump has tweeted his condolences. In an error, the US president said 138 million people had died. Hospital and police officials have said at least 138 people have died.
More responses from world leaders to the deadly bombings in Sri Lanka.
New Zealand’s prime minister Jacinda Ardern condemned the “devastating” attacks and said: “New Zealand rejects all forms of extremism and stands for freedom of religion and the right to worship safely.”
French president Emmanuel Macron condemned the “heinous acts” and offered his “full solidarity with the Sri Lanka people”.
Spanish prime minister Pedro Sanchez said: “Terror and barbarity will never defeat us”.
German chancellor Angela Merkel wrote: “It is shocking that people who had gathered to celebrate Easter were the deliberate target of vicious attacks.”
There are reports of the first arrests in connection with the bombings. The BBC’s Azzam Ameen said there were two suspects detained following the explosion at the housing complex in Dematagoda.
Donald Trump has tweeted his “heartfelt condolences to the people of Sri Lanka”.
The US president deleted an earlier tweet containing an error, having mistakenly stated that 138 million people had died in the bombings. Hospital and police officials have said at least 138 people have died.
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