The death toll has risen to 190 after at least eight explosions were carried out across various locations in Sri Lanka this morning, April 21.
So far, eight bomb blasts have been recorded, mainly in and around the capital of Colombo, at churches and hotels as people celebrated Easter Sunday.
According to the country’s defence minister, seven suspects have now been arrested in connection with the explosions.
Three churches, three luxury hotels, and a guesthouse were among the targeted locations of the attacks, as AP News reports.
Three police officers are believed to be among the dead, reportedly killed in a ‘suicide blast’ at a house in Dematagoda as they pursued one of the suspects.
Sri Lankan Special Task Force personnel are pictured outside a house during a raid, after a suicide blast had killed police searching the property in the Orugodawatta area of the capital Colombo, following a series of blasts in churches and hotelshttps://t.co/ZqdVahQgct pic.twitter.com/t4qHvnteia
— AFP news agency (@AFP) April 21, 2019
A number of foreign nationals are reported to have been caught up in the blasts.
@RWijewardene says 7 people under arrest for morning attacks that killed at least 160 people including perhaps close to 30 foreigners (Source: Sec/Foreign Affairs) at meeting now w heads of media. Asks for responsible reporting. pic.twitter.com/kKrwdr0uJt
— Harsha de Silva (@HarshadeSilvaMP) April 21, 2019
Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe, said:
I strongly condemn the cowardly attacks on our people today. I call upon all Sri Lankans during this tragic time to remain united and strong. Please avoid propagating unverified reports and speculation. The government is taking immediate steps to contain this situation.
I strongly condemn the cowardly attacks on our people today. I call upon all Sri Lankans during this tragic time to remain united and strong. Please avoid propagating unverified reports and speculation. The government is taking immediate steps to contain this situation.
— Ranil Wickremesinghe (@RW_UNP) April 21, 2019
According to reports, three churches in Kochchikade, Negombo and Batticaloa were all targeted during Easter services, while the Shangri La, Cinnamon Grand and Kingsbury hotels in Colombo were also hit.
It is feared the death toll will rise even higher, with hundreds more injured.
In the wake of the attacks, the government have imposed a curfew on all residents with immediate effect. They have also restricted access to social media and messaging services. The social media blackout is set to continue for as long as necessary while security forces continue their investigations.
The president’s office has said this is because of misinformation being spread.
07 suspects arrested in connection with today's coordinated bombings in Colombo, Negombo & Batticaloa. Govt has now confirmed most of the blasts were suicide bomb attacks most probably carried out by 01 group: State Minister for Defence @RWijewardene #lka #EasterSundayAttacksLK
— dharisha (@tingilye) April 21, 2019
The archbishop of Colombo has urged Sri Lankans in the city not to ‘take the law into their own hands’ in response to the attacks, The Guardian reports.
If you are worried about a loved one in Sri Lanka and cannot get in contact, the high commission in London has setup an emergency hotline (07917382486) where you can leave their details to check with authorities in Sri Lanka. #SriLanka #srilankaterrorattack
— Patrick Greenfield (@pgreenfielduk) April 21, 2019
Our thoughts are with those affected at this difficult time.
For those in the UK worried about friends and relatives in Sri Lanka, a hotline has been set up by the high commission in London, which you can call on 07917382486.
Charlie Cocksedge is a journalist and sub-editor at UNILAD. He graduated from the University of Manchester with an MA in Creative Writing, where he learnt how to write in the third person, before getting his NCTJ. His work has also appeared in such places as The Guardian, PN Review and the bin.