Suicide bomb exploded on several location in Srilanka, targetting on Christians. Yesterday, Christians were celebrating Easter. First suicide bomb was exploded on 8.45 a.m at St. Anthony shrine in Colombo. All bombs are exploded on Roman Catholic church. Two others explosion were located on St. Sebastian’s Church in Negombo, and Zion Church, Batticaloa.
Minutes later after 8.45 am, second suicide bombs were exploded in three luxury hotels. Suicide blast shattered the Sunday brunch tranquillity in Shangri-La, which filled with foreign tourists. Others explosion happen in Cinnamon Grand and Kingsbury, all located in Colombo.
The explosions blew out the tiled roofs of churches and hotel windows, killing worshipers and hotel guests in the process. Images and footage showed bloodied pews, broken glass, and plumes of smoke. “It was a river of blood”, said Sumanapala, a shopkeeper near the church who had run inside to help. He saw limbs and heads and “there were children too”, he continued.
“You can see pieces of flesh thrown all over the walls and on the sanctuary and even outside of the church,” said Father Edmond Tillekeratne, social communications director for the Archdiocese of Colombo. He estimated that more than a thousand people had come to the church for Easter Sunday “because it is a special day.” Many came from villages afar, he said.
Sri Lanka Bombing Maps
In all, the eight sites of explosions Sunday included:
- St. Anthony’s Shrine, Colombo
- St. Sebastian’s Church, Negombo
- Zion Church, Batticaloa
- Cinnamon Grand, Colombo
- Shangri-La Hotel, Colombo
- The Kingsbury Hotel, Colombo
- Near Dehiwala Zoo in Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia
- A house in Mahawila Gardens, Dematagoda
Victims rose to 290, about 500 people wounded. Police spokesman, Ruwan Gunasekera, said, although he would not give a breakdown of where the fatalities occurred. The finance minister, Mangala Samaraweera, called the attacks “a well-coordinated attempt to create murder, mayhem and anarchy.”
At least 35 foreigners were dead. Several from USA, UK, China, Netherland, and Portugal.
Police said, that 13 suspects were held in connection to the bombings in the capital Colombo, and the cities of Negombo and Batticaloa. Seven of suspects were seized at the hide-out after one suspect blew himself up, killing three officers.
The Sri Lankan government blocked Facebook and Instagram while the investigation got under way. Facebook issued a statement Sunday offering its condolences to the those “affected by this horrendous act.”Teams from across Facebook have been working to support first responders and law enforcement as well as to identify and remove content which violates our standards,” the company said.
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