42 dead\, 280 injured as explosions rock churches\, hotels in Sri Lanka

42 dead, 280 injured as explosions rock churches, hotels in Sri Lanka

The blasts occurred at around 8.45 a.m. (local time) as the Easter Sunday masses were in progress

Agencies 

Sri Lanka church blast
Sri Lankan military officials stand guard in front of the St. Anthony's Shrine, Kochchikade church after an explosion in Colombo, Sri Lanka April 21, 2019. Photo: Reuters

At least 42 were reported dead and 280 people were injured as six explosions hit churches and hotels in Sri Lanka on Sunday.

The blasts occurred at around 8.45 a.m. (local time) as the Easter Sunday masses were in progress, police spokesman Ruwan Gunasekera said. Three more explosions were reported from the five-star hotels, the Shangrila, the Cinnamon Grand and the Kingsbury.

Police and emergency vehicles blocked the entrance to the Shangri-La Hotel in Colombo, where there’s visible damage, including shattered windows, above the main entrance where a cafe was located.

One of the blasts hit St Anthony's Church in Kochchikade of the capital, Colombo.

"A bomb attack to our church, please come and help," read a facebook post from St Sebasitian's Church at Katuwapitiutya, in the Western coastal town of Negombo.

St. Sebastian’s church at Katuwapitiya in Negombo posted pictures of destruction inside the church on its Facebook page, showing blood on pews and the floor, and requested help from the public.
First Published: Sun, April 21 2019. 10:24 IST