More than 200 dead as suicide bombers hit churches and hotels in Sri Lanka

More than 200 people have lost their lives after a series of coordinated terrorist attacks rocked the country of Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday, with officials claiming suicide bombers from one group were responsible.

The devastating attacks took place as Christian worshippers attended services to mark the religious occasion of Jesus Christ’s resurrection, whilst bombs were also detonated in a number of luxury hotels in the country, with reports suggesting they were detonated as holidaymakers queued for their breakfast.

There were a total of eight blasts, reports the BBC, hitting four hotels and three churches, with the first taking place at around 8.45am on Easter Sunday (1.45pm AEST).

Six of those blasts happened in and around the capital of Colombo, including the first which destroyed St Anthony’s shrine in Kochchikade, and three high-end hotels, the Shangri-La, Kingsbury and Cinnamon Grand, were also hit.

A church on the Eastern city of Batticaloa was also targeted by the terrorists – suggested by Sri Lankan politicians to be part of one group – as well as St Sebastian’s church in Negombo.

While the majority of those who have lost their lives are said to be Sri Lankan nationals, it has been reported that around 30 of those killed were foreign nationals, including three British nationals and two dual US-UK citizens, according to the BBC.

Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe slammed the “cowardly” attacks and urged people to remain “united and strong”.

The government has said most of the attacks are thought to have been carried out by suicide bombers, with MP Harsha de Silva telling media that the last two blasts appeared to have been carried out by the culprits as they fled from police.

A curfew has also been imposed until further notice and social media networks have been temporarily blocked across the country.

https://twitter.com/HarshadeSilvaMP/status/1119967627479326720

Speaking on Sunday evening, Prime Minister Scott Morrison condemned the attack, saying: “Bombings in Sri Lanka of Christians as they went to worship on Easter Sunday, bombings in hotels, all coordinated as part of a deadly terrorist attack.”

The PM also encouraged anyone with family in Sri Lanka to call 1300-555135. He added: “As we move into the next few days, I am sure the information will be become more sickeningly real and the devastating nature of this horrific attack on innocent lives on the holiest of days on the Christian calendar is just absolutely devastating.

“I reach out particularly to our Sri Lankan community here in Australia and to the beautiful people of Sri Lanka, Australia sends its heartfelt sympathies and our prayers and our support in this terrible time.”

My statement in response to the terrorist attacks in Sri Lanka. pic.twitter.com/lGncvjVSNt

— Scott Morrison (@ScoMo30) April 21, 2019

While New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern described the attacks – which come just one month after her own country was rocked by a mass shooting, resulting in the death of 50 Muslim worshippers – as “devastating”.

“New Zealand condemns all acts of terrorism, and our resolve has only been strengthened by the attack on our soil on the 15th of March,” she said, according to the NZ Herald.

“New Zealand rejects all forms of extremism and stands for freedom of religion and the right to worship safely. Collectively we must find the will and the answers to end such violence.”

Australia’s foreign office is currently advising people to “reconsider their need to travel” due to the “high level of risk”.

#SriLanka A nationwide Police curfew has been declared from 6pm today to 6am tomorrow.
We have upgraded our level of advice to 'Reconsider your need to travel' to #SriLankahttps://t.co/CdI12asZ0G

— Smartraveller (@Smartraveller) April 21, 2019

The government’s Smartraveller website advises: “Think seriously about whether you need to travel here due to the high level of risk. If you do travel, do your research and take a range of extra safety precautions, including having contingency plans. Check that your travel insurer will cover you.”

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