Colombo, Apr 21 (UNI) At least 100 people have been killed and more than 400 hospitalised in multiple explosions that hit two Catholic churches here in the national capital on Sunday, as worshipers had gathered in large numbers to attended the Easter services.
A total of six blasts reportedly took place on Sunday in Sri Lanka, hitting three churches and three hotels in the country's capital of Colombo and other cities, local media reported.
The first blast occurred at 8.45AM in St Anthony's Church in Kochchikade and the other at St Sebestian's Church in Katuwapitiya, Katana.
Shortly after those blasts were reported, police confirmed three hotels in the capital had also been hit, along with a church in the town of Batticalao, in the east of the country.
The police said explosions also occurred at Shangri-La Hotel and Kingsbury Hotel in the capital.
As per initial reports the injured have been shifted to nearby hospitals.
It is reported that 24 people were killed in Colombo while 27 people died following the blast at the Zion Church which left 73 injured in Batticaloa.
Meanwhile Indian Minister for External Affairs Sushma Swaraj has said that she was in constant touch with Indian High Commissioner in Colombo. "We are keeping a close watch on the situation," she tweeted.
Vice President Venkaiah Naidu has also expressed his grief over the loss of lives. "I am shocked and deeply saddened to learn about the loss of innocent lives in multiple bombings on Easter Sunday in Colombo. My heartfelt condolences to the members of bereaved families and I wish a speedy recovery to the injured." he said in a tweet.
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