Sri Lanka bombings: Explosion near Colombo church as police attempt to defuse three new bombs

Islamist group behind attacks believed to have links with foreign terrorist networks

Sri Lanka bomb: Dashcam footage showing the blast at Kochikade St. Anthony's church

Coordinated Easter Sunday bombings that ripped through Sri Lankan churches and luxury hotels were carried out by seven suicide bombers from a domestic militant group, according to government officials.

The bombings, the country's deadliest violence since a devastating civil war ended a decade ago on the island nation, killed at least 290 people with more than 500 wounded. Eight Britons are among the dead.

Security forces are carrying out searches across the island to search for those behind the bombs. On Monday the group National Thowheed Jama’ath was named by a government minister as having carried out the attacks.

Follow the latest developments below

Key Points

• Fresh explosion as bomb squad tries to defuse three devices
• Police find 87 bomb detonators in Colombo's main bus station
• Sri Lankan government says local Islamist group National Thowheed Jama’ath responsible for attacks
• Eight Britons among the dead
• Death toll rises sharply overnight to at least 290

[22 April 2019 09:51 · Tom Batchelor]

Some more on the perpetrators, this time from a Sri Lankan cabinet spokesman who has said the attacks were carried out with the help of an "international network".

[22 April 2019 10:05 · Tom Batchelor]

Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne has named National Thowfeek Jama'ath as the group behind the attacks, and said that while the group is domestic, foreign links are suspected. 

All of the attackers were Sri Lankan, he said. There are currently 24 suspects in custody for questioning. 

The group is an Islamist faction, relatively new compared to Thableekh Jamaat, a less extreme group, which has been around for about two decades.

[22 April 2019 10:22 · Tom Batchelor]

Sri Lanka's president has declared a nationwide emergency from midnight on Monday (6.30pm GMT).

The measure, which will grant police and the military extensive powers to detain and interrogate without court orders, was in force at various times during the civil war with Tamil separatists.

[22 April 2019 10:45 · Tom Batchelor]

This photo, taken by our Asia editor, Adam Withnall, shows a police officer leaving a home where the eighth bomb blast occurred. He was carrying a shotgun in a forensics bag. Three officers died here while raids were carried out in wake of attacks. One of the bombers was believed to live here - it's the home of a respected spice exporter, on a smart, quiet street. On the top floor of the house was a smashed window where the explosion occurred. One officer was seriously injured as the ceiling collapsed from the blast. Two children's bodies were removed yesterday; it is believed another child's body remains here underneath the debris, a police officer said. 

[22 April 2019 10:49 · Tom Batchelor]

Indian media is quoting sources in the country's coast guard as saying their officers are on high alert in the narrow sea channel - the Palk Strait - between Sri Lanka and the southern tip of India to prevent any of the perpetrators fleeing the island nation by sea.

[22 April 2019 10:56 · Tom Batchelor]

Sri Lanka's president, Maithripala Sirisena, will ask for foreign assistance to track international links to the suicide bombings at churches and luxury hotels.

"The intelligence reports (indicate) that foreign terrorist organisations are behind the local terrorists. Therefore, the president is to seek the assistance of the foreign countries," a statement said.

[22 April 2019 11:22 · Tom Batchelor]

Sri Lankan police have found 87 bomb detonators at the main bus station in the capital, Colombo.

Security forces are carrying out searches across the island to find those behind the bombs. No group has claimed responsibility.

[22 April 2019 11:32 · Tom Batchelor]

Pope Francis has described the Easter attacks as "terrorist acts, inhuman acts" that could never be justified. It was the second day that the pope condemned the attacks, having deplored it as "cruel violence" on Sunday.

In a message of support earlier on Easter Monday, the Queen said: "I pay tribute to the medical and emergency services who are providing support to those who have been injured. Our thoughts and prayers are with all Sri Lankans at this difficult time."

On Sunday evening, Labour MP Tulip Siddiq revealed she had lost a relative in the attack. "It’s all so devastating. Hope everyone is keeping safe. Solidarity with the people of Sri Lanka," she said. 

[22 April 2019 11:42 · Tom Batchelor]

A fresh explosion has rocked the capital Colombo as bomb squad officials were trying to defuse a device, witnesses have told Reuters.

Police went to inspect the van on Monday after people reported it had been parked near St Anthony's Shrine since Sunday. 

They discovered three bombs that they tried to defuse. Instead, the bombs detonated, sending pedestrians fleeing in panic. 

No injuries have been reported.

[22 April 2019 12:27 · Tom Batchelor]

Video has emerged of the moment a van exploded as police attempted to defuse bombs inside the vehicle. Police went to inspect the van on Monday after people reported it had been parked near St Anthony's Shrine since Sunday.