Asia Pacific
11:37, 24-Apr-2019
Well-educated, middle-class suicide bombers behind Easter tragedy killing at least 359
Updated
19:58, 24-Apr-2019
["china"]
Share
Copied
The death toll from Sunday's Sri Lanka serial explosions rose to 359 as the investigation continues, police said on Wednesday. The additional deaths were the result of the wounded dying of their injuries. At least 500 people were injured in the attacks.
Updated at 19:15 BJT
Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena has asked his police chief, Pujith Jayasundara and defense secretary Hemasiri Fernando to resign following severe security lapses which resulted in Sunday's explosions, Xinhua reports citing officials.
Updated at 13:23 BJT
Total of 60 people have been arrested in Sri Lanka in connection with Easter's serial bombings, Sri Lanka's Deputy Defense Minister Ruwan Wijewardene said when giving updates on Sri Lanka attacks on Wednesday.
Most of the attackers were "well-educated, financially independent and from the middle class," Minister Said, adding that one of the bombers studied in the UK and Australia.
Sri Lanka's national flag flies at half mast at the Galle Face Green promenade in Colombo, April 23, 2019. /VCG Photo
Sri Lanka's national flag flies at half mast at the Galle Face Green promenade in Colombo, April 23, 2019. /VCG Photo
Investigations confirm that there were nine suicide bombers, of which eight have been identified, authorities said.
Chinese ambassador to Sri Lanka, Cheng Xueyuan, on Wednesday morning said one Chinese national has been confirmed dead on Sunday's bombings. Among five other missing Chinese nationals, four are feared dead, the ambassador said. The Chinese embassy has reached out to contact the family members of the missing citizens.
Chinese ambassador to Sri Lanka Cheng Xueyuan gives update on Sri Lanka bombings, April 24, 2019. /CCTV Photo
Chinese ambassador to Sri Lanka Cheng Xueyuan gives update on Sri Lanka bombings, April 24, 2019. /CCTV Photo
Updated at 11:36 BJT
On Sunday, a string of ISIL-claimed bombing attacks ripped through churches and hotels across Sri Lanka, causing heavy casualties.
Prayer service for victims of Sunday's bombings in Sri Lanka, in India, April 23, 2019. /VCG Photo
Prayer service for victims of Sunday's bombings in Sri Lanka, in India, April 23, 2019. /VCG Photo
Sri Lankan security forces arrested 18 suspects linked to the country's deadly Islamist Easter bombings in overnight raids, police said Wednesday. Police say they have so far taken 58 people into detention since Sunday.
(With inputs from agencies)
This is a subtitle
This is a subtitle