262 killed, over 452 injured after serial blasts hit churches, hotels in Sri Lanka
What we know so far:
- 262 killed, over 452 injured
- Churches and hotels targeted in eight blasts
- No claim of responsibility yet
- 13 people in connection with blasts arrested
Updated at 10:10 a.m. BJT, Monday
The death toll from the serial explosions in Sri Lanka has risen to 262 and more than 452 others were injured according to News First, citing hospital sources.
13 people in connection with the string of blasts have been detained by local police, officials said Monday.
In wake of Sunday's deadly bomb attacks, an improvised pipe bomb was found close to Colombo's main airport and was successfully defused by the Sri Lankan airforce, police said.
People light candles for the victims of Sri Lanka's serial bomb blasts, outside a church in Peshawar, Pakistan, April 21, 2019. / Reuters Photo
Updated at 9:45 p.m. BJT, Sunday
The death toll has risen to 215.
Nationals from China, the U.S., Denmark, Japan, Pakistan, Morocco, India, and Bangladesh are among the victims, local media reported on Sunday citing Sri Lanka's national hospital spokesperson.
Updated at 8:45 p.m. BJT, Sunday
Sri Lanka has temporarily suspended all domestic flights and security forces are now at the Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo.
No one has claimed responsibility for the blasts so far.
Infographic of Sri Lanka deadly blasts on Easter Day, April 21, 2019. /CGTN Photo
Updated at 8:04 p.m. BJT, Sunday
Two Chinese nationals have been confirmed dead in blasts in Sri Lanka, according to the Chinese embassy.
The death toll has risen to 207 and over 450 people were injured in the blasts which hit different cities on Sunday, the police said.
Updated 7:30 p.m. BJT, Sunday
Death toll rises to 192 as a series of blasts hit different cities in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday,35 foreigners are among the deaths and over 470 people are reported injured.
Seven individuals have been arrested in connection to the explosions across the country, according to the reports.
In addition, the United Nations (UN) in Sri Lanka said on Twitter that: "UN strongly condemns the horrific attacks carried out against civilians and worshipers."
At the same time, world leaders have also condemned a series of blasts in Sri Lanka on Sunday.
Updated at 7:10 p.m. BJT, Sunday
At least three people were killed in the eighth blast which hit a residential area in Colombo, the blast was a suicide bomb according to the reports.
Crime scene officials inspect the explosion area at Shangri-La hotel in Colombo, Sri Lanka, April 21, 2019. /Reuters Photo
Updated 5:30 p.m. BJT, Sunday
A fresh blast hit the suburb of Orugodawatta, north of Colombo, the eighth such incident in a single day in Sri Lanka.
The target of the new blast remains unclear.
Sri Lanka's defense ministry has ordered a nationwide curfew from 6:00 p.m. local time (1230GMT) to 6:00 a.m. local time (0030GMT).
Major social media and messaging services, including Facebook and WhatsApp, have been blocked in the country to prevent misinfomation.
"This is only a temporary measure," Udaya R. Seneviratne, secretary to the president, said in a statement.
Updated 5:10 p.m. BJT, Sunday
Two people were killed in the blast hitting Dehiwela, AFP reported citing police spokesman Ruwan Gunasekera.
The blast was reported after six serial blasts hit churches and hotels in several Sri Lankan cities, killing at least 185 people and injuring hundreds more.
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./Reuters Photo
Updated 4:45 p.m. BJT, Sunday
Another explosion was reported in Dehiwela near the capital city of Colombo, Reuters reported citing Sri Lankan police.
This is the seventh blast that happened in the country on Sunday.
Updated 4:00 p.m. BJT, Sunday
At least 35 foreigners were among the 160 people killed in explosions in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday, AFP reported citing police.
The blasts targeted three churches in Colombo, Negombo and Batticaloa during Easter services.
Three luxury hotels in the capital city – Shangri-La Colombo, Kingsbury Hotel and Cinnamon Grand Colombo – were also hit.
"I strongly condemn the cowardly attacks on our people today," Ranil Wickremesinghe, prime minister of Sri Lanka, said on Twitter. The government is taking immediate steps to contain the situation, he said.
Updated 3:19 p.m. BJT, Sunday
The death toll rises to 160 and more than 360 people have been injured after a series of bomb blasts rocked three churches and three hotels in Sri Lanka on Sunday, local media reported.
"We must all act together as Sri Lanka citizens. My condolences to all families who lost loved ones", Sri Lanka's Minister of Economic Reforms and Public Distribution said on his Twitter account.
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. /Reuters Photo.
Updated 3:06 p.m. BJT, Sunday
138 people were reportedly killed and over 400 others were injured after a series of bomb blasts rocked three churches and three hotels in Sri Lanka on Sunday, Reuters reported, citing hospital and police officials.
Four Chinese nationals were injured in the blasts and have been sent to the hospital for further treatment. All of them are in stable condition, according to China's Embassy in Sri Lanka.
The explosions occurred as worshipers attended Easter services, said the police.
Sri Lankan military officials stand guard in front of the St. Anthony's Shrine after an explosion in Colombo, Sri Lanka, April 21, 2019. / Reuters Photo
No group or individual has claimed responsibility for the attack.