Seemorerocks: Co-ordinated terrorist attacks on hotels and churches in Sri Lanka

Sunday, 21 April 2019

Co-ordinated terrorist attacks on hotels and churches in Sri Lanka

40+ killed, 280 injured in 6 blasts at Sri Lankan hotels and churches on Easter Sunday

RT,
21 April, 2019

Six explosions rocked churches and hotels in Sri Lanka as Christian started Easter Sunday celebrations, with more than 40 killed and hundreds injured, local authorities confirmed.

The blasts occurred at around 8:45am local time at St. Anthony’s church in Colombo and St. Sebastian’s Church in Negombo, a Catholic-majority town outside of the capital. The Zion Church in Batticaloa on the eastern coast was also targeted.

At about the same time, the Shangri-La, Cinnamon Grand and Kingsbury five-star hotels were also hit, police confirmed. All attacks appear to be coordinated.

At least 42 people have been killed, according to initial reports.

Alleged footage of the aftermath, shared on social media, showed chaos and large-scale destruction inside at least one of the churches. At least 150 people were reportedly rushed to hospitals.

While there have been no confirmed deaths yet, casualties could potentially reach dozens or even a hundred, police fear.

Blood & chaos: WATCH worshippers struggle to aid wounded after Sri Lanka church bombing

RT,

21 April, 2019

Photos and videos circulating on social media depict gruesome scenes as disoriented worshipers try to help the wounded after a bomb went off in a packed Catholic church during Easter Sunday Mass in Sri Lanka.

Photos posted by St. Sebastian Church in the Catholic-majority town of Negombo, outside Colombo, show bloodied worshipers struggling to help the wounded after a blast hit the building. Several bodies can be seen lying on the floor alongside rubble. Windows have been shattered and the walls are riddled with what appears to be shrapnel from the bomb. The roof is heavily damaged as well.

When the bomb went off, the church was packed with worshipers who had gathered to celebrate Easter Sunday Mass. A video from the scene shows that children were present during the tragedy.

Two other churches were hit by blasts on Sunday, and three luxury hotels were also targeted. More than 100 people were killed during the attacks, and hundreds were injured, police say. Of those, more than 50 are believed to have been killed at St. Sebastian’s Church.

Photos from one of the hotels show several bodies covered by blood-stained white cloths.