Sri Lanka blasts: At least 138 dead and more than 560 injured in multiple church and hotel explosions - CNN

Explosions occurred during Easter services at churches in the cities of Colombo, Negombo and Batticaloa. Additional blasts ripped through three hotels, the Shangri La, Cinnamon Grand and Kingsbury Hotel, all in capital city Colombo, according to state broadcaster SLRC.

At least 20 foreigners are among the dead in Colombo, according to hospital Director General Anil Jasinghe.

Sri Lankan security officials said police and security services immediately rushed to all affected areas and sealed off the churches and hotels.

In a statement, the Shangri-La hotel in Colombo said that the hotel's Table One cafe was hit just after 9 a.m local time. The hotel is popular with foreign tourists and the country's business community.

The country's authorities convened an emergency meeting involving the heads of the army, air force and navy, according to Sri Lanka's economic reforms minister, Harsha de Silva.

He said on Twitter that all emergency steps had been taken and that the group would issue a statement on the blasts.

Sri Lanka's Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe condemned the blasts on Twitter, calling on Sri Lankans to "remain united and strong."

President Maithripala Sirisena also spoke out following the attacks. "I have given instructions to take very stern action against the persons who are responsible for this conspiracy," he said.

Leave has been cancelled for all police in Sri Lanka.

"Horrible scenes, I saw many body parts strewn all over," de Silva said after visiting the Kochchikade church and Shangri-La Hotel in Colombo. "We took multiple casualties to hospital. Hopefully saved many lives."

De Silva confirmed that foreigners were among the casualties and said rescue operations were underway, adding that emergency crews were operating in "full force."

This is a developing story.

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https://www.cnn.com/2019/04/21/asia/sri-lanka-explosions/index.html

2019-04-21 08:38:00Z
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Sri Lanka blasts: At least 138 dead and more than 560 injured in multiple church and hotel explosions - CNN

Explosions occurred during Easter services at churches in the cities of Colombo, Negombo and Batticaloa. Additional blasts ripped through three hotels, the Shangri La, Cinnamon Grand and Kingsbury Hotel, all in capital city Colombo, according to state broadcaster SLRC.

At least nine foreigners are among the dead in Colombo.

Sri Lankan security officials said police and security services immediately rushed to all affected areas and sealed off the churches and hotels.

In a statement, the Shangri-La hotel in Colombo said that the hotel's Table One cafe was hit just after 9 a.m local time. The hotel is popular with foreign tourists and the country's business community.

The country's authorities convened an emergency meeting involving the heads of the army, air force and navy, according to Sri Lanka's economic reforms minister, Harsha de Silva.

He said on Twitter that all emergency steps had been taken and that the group would issue a statement on the blasts.

Sri Lanka's Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe condemned the blasts on Twitter, calling on Sri Lankans to "remain united and strong."

President Maithripala Sirisena also spoke out following the attacks. "I have given instructions to take very stern action against the persons who are responsible for this conspiracy," he said.

Leave has been cancelled for all police in Sri Lanka.

"Horrible scenes, I saw many body parts strewn all over," de Silva said after visiting the Kochchikade church and Shangri-La Hotel in Colombo. "We took multiple casualties to hospital. Hopefully saved many lives."

De Silva confirmed that foreigners were among the casualties and said rescue operations were underway, adding that emergency crews were operating in "full force."

This is a developing story.

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https://www.cnn.com/2019/04/21/asia/sri-lanka-explosions/index.html

2019-04-21 08:33:00Z
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Sri Lanka blasts: At least 138 dead and more than 560 injured in multiple church and hotel explosions - CNN

The blasts, reported to have occurred at churches in Kochchikade, Negombo and Batticaloa, targeted worshippers as they attended Easter services. Additional blasts ripped through three hotels, the Shangri La, Cinnamon Grand and Kingsbury Hotel, all in the capital, Colombo, according to state broadcaster SLRC.

At least nine foreigners are among at least 50 dead at the Colombo National Hospital following the explosions, according to hospital sources. In total, more than 260 people injured in the blasts have been admitted to the hospital in the wake of the attack.

More than 35 people were injured in the explosion at Katuwapitiya Church in Negombo, while more than 300 people have been hospitalized following the blast at the Zion Church in Batticaloa.

The death toll was expected to rise further.

Sri Lankan security officials said police and security services immediately rushed to all affected areas and sealed off the churches and hotels.

In a statement, the Shangri-La hotel in Colombo said that the hotel's Table One cafe was hit just after 9 a.m local time. The hotel is popular with foreign tourists and the country's business community.

"We are working closely with local authorities and emergency services to provide our fullest assistance and support to the affected staff and guests," said the hotel.

Sri Lanka's Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe condemned the blasts.

"I strongly condemn the cowardly attacks on our people today. I call upon all Sri Lankans during this tragic time to remain united and strong," he said on Twitter. "The government is taking immediate steps to contain this situation."

The country's authorities had convened an emergency meeting involving the heads of the army, air force and navy, according to Sri Lanka's economic reforms minister, Harsha de Silva.

He said on Twitter that all emergency steps had been taken and that the group would issue a statement on the blasts.

"Horrible scenes, I saw many body parts strewn all over," de Silva said after visiting the Kochchikade church and Shangri-La Hotel in Kingsbury, Colombo. "We took multiple casualties to hospital. Hopefully saved many lives."

De Silva said that foreigners were among the casualties and that rescue operations were underway, adding that emergency crews are at the scenes operating in "full force."

This is a developing story.

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https://www.cnn.com/2019/04/21/asia/sri-lanka-explosions/index.html

2019-04-21 08:12:00Z
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Sri Lanka blasts: At least 138 dead and more than 560 injured in multiple church and hotel explosions - CNN

The blasts, reported to have occurred at churches in Kochchikade, Negombo and Batticaloa, targeted worshippers as they attended Easter services. Additional blasts ripped through three hotels, the Shangri La, Cinnamon Grand and Kingsbury Hotel, all in the capital, Colombo, according to state broadcaster SLRC.

At least nine foreigners are among at least 50 dead at the Colombo National Hospital following the explosions, according to hospital sources. In total, more than 260 people injured in the blasts have been admitted to the hospital in the wake of the attack.

More than 35 people were injured in the explosion at Katuwapitiya Church in Negombo, while more than 300 people have been hospitalized following the blast at the Zion Church in Batticaloa.

The death toll was expected to rise further.

Sri Lankan security officials said police and security services immediately rushed to all affected areas and sealed off the churches and hotels.

In a statement, the Shangri-La hotel in Colombo said that the hotel's Table One cafe was hit just after 9 a.m local time. The hotel is popular with foreign tourists and the country's business community.

"We are working closely with local authorities and emergency services to provide our fullest assistance and support to the affected staff and guests," said the hotel.

Sri Lanka's Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe condemned blasts.

"I strongly condemn the cowardly attacks on our people today. I call upon all Sri Lankans during this tragic time to remain united and strong," he said on Twitter. "The government is taking immediate steps to contain this situation."

There have been "many casualties including foreigners," tweeted Sri Lankan lawmaker Harsha de Silva.

"Horrible scenes, I saw many body parts strewn all over," de Silva said after visiting the Kochchikade church and Shangri-La Hotel in Kingsbury, Colombo.

Rescue operations are underway, said de Silva, adding that emergency crews are at the scenes operating in "full force."

De Silva said the heads of the Sri Lankan Army, Navy and Air Force have convened for an emergency meeting with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and multiple other ministers in the cabinet.

The Secretary of Defense and Secretary of Foreign Affairs were also present, according to de Silva's tweet.

"All necessary emergency steps taken by Gov of Sri Lanka. Soon official statement will be issued."

This is a developing story.

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2019-04-21 08:07:00Z
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Sri Lanka blasts: At least 138 dead and more than 400 injured in multiple church and hotel explosions - CNN

The blasts, reported to have occurred at churches in Kochchikade, Negombo and Batticaloa, targeted worshippers as they attended Easter services. Additional blasts ripped through three hotels, The Shangri La, Cinnamon Grand and Kingsbury Hotel, all in the capital, Colombo, according to state broadcaster SLRC.

Bodies of the dead have been received at Colombo National Hospital, according to hospital sources. Most of those injured were also taken there, hospital officials said.

There have been "many casualties including foreigners," tweeted Sri Lankan MP Harsha de Silva.

De Silva said two locations of the explosions were Kochchikade church and Shangri-La Hotel in Kingsbury, Colombo.

"Horrible scenes, I saw many body parts strewn all over," De Silva said after visiting the scene. Rescue operations are underway, the MP said, adding that emergency crews are at the scenes operating in "full force."

De Silva said the heads of the Sri Lankan Army, Navy and Air Force have convened for an emergency meeting with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and multiple other ministers in the cabinet.

The Secretary of Defense and Secretary of Foreign Affairs were also present, according to de Silva's tweet.

"All necessary emergency steps taken by Gov of Sri Lanka. Soon official statement will be issued."

This is a developing story.

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2019-04-21 07:40:00Z
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Sri Lanka blasts: At least 137 dead and more than 150 injured in multiple church and hotel explosions - CNN

The blasts, reported to have occurred in the cities of Negombo, Batticalo and the capital Colombo, targeted at least three hotels and three churches as worshippers attended Easter services.

Bodies of the dead have been received at Colombo National Hospital, according to hospital sources. Most of those injured were also taken there, hospital officials said.

There have been "many casualties including foreigners," tweeted Sri Lankan MP Harsha de Silva.

De Silva said two locations of the explosions were Kochchikade church and Shangri-La Hotel in Kingsbury, Colombo.

"Horrible scenes, I saw many body parts strewn all over," De Silva said after visiting the scene. Rescue operations are underway, the MP said, adding that emergency crews are at the scenes operating in "full force."

De Silva said the heads of the Sri Lankan Army, Navy and Air Force have convened for an emergency meeting with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and multiple other ministers in the cabinet.

The Secretary of Defense and Secretary of Foreign Affairs were also present, according to de Silva's tweet.

"All necessary emergency steps taken by Gov of Sri Lanka. Soon official statement will be issued."

This is a developing story.

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https://www.cnn.com/2019/04/21/asia/sri-lanka-explosions/index.html

2019-04-21 07:25:00Z
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Blasts rock 3 churches, 3 hotels in Sri Lanka; multiple fatalities reported - Fox News

Sri Lankan Army soldiers secure the area around St. Anthony's Shrine after a blast in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Sunday, April 21, 2019. (Associated Press)

Six nearly simultaneous explosions struck three churches and three hotels frequented by tourists on Easter Sunday in Sri Lanka, killing at least 129 people, according to a security official in Colombo, the capital of the island nation in the Indian Ocean.

Multiple fatalities resulted among worshipers and hotel guests, the official said, adding that at least two of the church blasts were believed to have been a coordinated attack carried out by suicide bombers.

SRI LANKA AVERTS RIFT SPILLING OVER TO UN RIGHTS SESSION

One church, St. Anthony's Shrine, and the three hotels are in Colombo and are frequented by foreign tourists. The other two churches are in Negombo, a Catholic majority town north of Colombo, and the eastern town of Batticaloa.

People gather outside St. Anthony's Shrine where a blast happened, in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Sunday, April 21, 2019. (Associated Press)

The official spoke on condition of anonymity as he was not authorized to speak with reporters.

Alex Agileson, who was in the vicinity, told the Associated Press that the explosions shook other buildings in the surrounding area. he reported seeing numerous people carried to ambulances.

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Police immediately rushed to the scenes of the blasts.

About 50 people with assorted injuries had so far been admitted in Colombo's main hospital.

There were no immediate claims of responsibility, Reuters reported.

As the toll rises, the National Blood Transfusion Service put out an appeal to the public for donations.

The Associated Press contributed to this story. This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

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2019-04-21 06:57:53Z
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