At least 207 people were killed and hundreds more injured in eight blasts that rocked churches and hotels in and just outside Sri Lanka’s capital on Easter Sunday, officials said, pitching the South Asian island nation into the worst chaos it has seen since a bloody civil war ended a decade ago.

Defense Minister Ruwan Wijewardena, who described the blasts as a terrorist attack by religious extremists, told reporters Sunday evening that seven suspects had been arrested, though no one immediately claimed responsibility for the blasts. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said he feared the violence could trigger instability in the country and its economy.

Media reported 25 people were also killed in an attack on a church in Batticaloa in Eastern Province.

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10:08 pm IST Narrow escape for Andhra tourists in Sri Lanka blasts Five persons from Andhra Pradesh’s Anantapur district had a narrow escape in the serial bomb blasts that rocked Sri Lanka on Sunday, killing over 200 people. Amilineni Surendra Babu, who head SR Construction firm, sustained minor injuries while his friends escaped unhurt when a bomb went off at Shangri La Hotel in Colombo, where they were staying. The group, which was on a tour to Sri Lanka, was having breakfast at the hotel when a bomb ripped through the premises, reports news agency IANS.





10:05 pm IST Britons killed in Sri Lanka attacks: UK Foreign Office Britons killed in Sri Lanka attacks: UK Foreign Office





9:31 pm IST Several Americans killed in Sri Lanka attacks: Mike Pompeo Several Americans killed in Sri Lanka attacks: Washington secretary of state Mike Pompeo





9:09 pm IST Eight arrested in connection with serial blasts, says Sri Lanka PM Ranil Wickremesinghe Eight arrested in connection with serial blasts, says Sri Lanka PM Ranil Wickremesinghe





8:40 pm IST US Catholic bishops’ group condemns attacks The president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops is condemning “this great evil” that targeted Easter Sunday worshippers and others with deadly blasts in Sri Lanka. Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo in a statement offers prayers for the victims and says the attack cannot “overcome the hope” found in the holiday.





8:22 pm IST Muslim groups in Sri Lanka condemn attacks Two Muslim groups in Sri Lanka are condemning the attacks on churches and hotels in the country on Easter Sunday that killed more than 200 people. The Muslim Council of Sri Lanka says it mourns the loss of innocent people in the blasts by extremists who seek to divide religious and ethnic groups.





8:14 pm IST Sri Lanka verifies nationalities of 11 killed Sri Lanka’s foreign ministry says the nationalities of 11 foreigners killed in the Easter Sunday blasts have been verified. They include three Indians, one Portuguese national, two Turkish nationals, three British nationals and two holding U.S. and British nationalities. The statement also says nine foreigners are reported missing. A Dutch national and a Chinese national also have been reported among the victims.





8:05 pm IST Three Indians killed in Sri Lanka serial blasts Three Indians killed in Sri Lanka serial blasts: External Affairs minister Sushma Swaraj





8:02 pm IST UN chief outraged by Sri Lanka attacks The United Nations secretary-general says he is “outraged by the terrorist attacks” in Sri Lanka. A statement by the spokesman for Antonio Guterres notes the “sanctity of all places of worship” and hopes the perpetrators will be quickly brought to justice. He also commends the unity of the Sri Lankan people after the Easter Sunday attacks on churches and hotels that killed more than 200 people.





7:59 pm IST Narrow escape for Tamil actress Noted Tamil actress Radikaa Sarathkumar from Tamil Nadu had a providential escape from the blasts in Sri Lanka as she walked out of a hotel just before the premises was hit by explosions. “OMG bomb blasts in Sri Lanka, God be with all. I just left Colombo Cinnamon Grand Hotel and it has been bombed, cant believe this shocking...so shocked,” the actress said in her tweet.





7:19 pm IST Security tightened around Goa churches on Easter Goa Chief Minister, Pramod Sawant on Sunday while condemning the Sri Lankan terror attacks, said that the state government has beefed up the security around all the churches here on Easter Day.





6:54 pm IST UK says citizens caught in Sri Lanka blasts The British high commissioner to Sri Lanka says the UK government understands that “some British citizens were caught in the blasts” but it is too soon to say how many might have been affected.





6:48 pm IST 4 Chinese injured in Sri Lanka blasts Four Chinese nationals were injured in the multiple blasts that struck churches and luxury hotels in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday, the Chinese Embassy in Colombo said, reports PTI. The Chinese mission activated emergency response mechanism immediately after the blasts, and embassy officials have visited the injured who were in hospital for treatment, it said. The injured Chinese nationals are now in stable condition, state-run Xinhua news agency reported. The Chinese Embassy has reminded Chinese citizens and businesses in Sri Lanka to watch out for safety, it added.





6:41 pm IST Sri Lanka suspects suicide attacks in blasts Sri Lanka’s defence minister says most of the eight blasts that rocked the capital and surrounding areas are suspected suicide attacks. Police say 207 people were killed and 450 wounded in Sunday’s explosions, whose targets included at least three churches and three luxury hotels.





5:57 pm IST Sri Lanka bombings death toll passes 200 Seven people were arrested and three police officers were killed during a raid on a house in Colombo on Sunday as the death toll from a rash of bombings at churches and hotels in Sri Lanka rose past 200, police and local media said.





5:42 pm IST Suicide bombers involved in two of Sri Lanka blasts: Report Suicide bombers were involved in at least two of the deadly blasts that ripped through churches and hotels in Sri Lanka on Sunday killing around 160 people, according to police and hotel officials.





5:29 pm IST Condemn blasts in Sri Lanka: Pinarayi Vijayan Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan condemns blasts in Sri Lanka. “We condemn blasts in Lanka.one of the killed is a resident of Kasargode. We are in touch with the high commission to bring her body back.”





5:23 pm IST Woman from Kerala’s Kasargode killed in Sri Lanka serial blasts that killed 190 A woman from Kerala’s Kasargode district was killed in the blasts that rocked Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday morning. Raseena, 52, was killed during an explosion in a Colombo hotel. She had gone to Sri Lanka to visit her relatives.





5:06 pm IST Seven suspects have been arrested following series of blasts that killed at least 190: Defence Minister Sri Lanka’s defence minister says seven suspects have been arrested following series of blasts that killed at least 190, reports AP.





5:02 pm IST Sri Lanka’s deputy transport minister says 190 dead in series of Easter Sunday blasts Sri Lanka’s deputy transport minister says 190 dead in series of Easter Sunday blasts.





4:21 pm IST We stand ready to help: Donald Trump on Sri Lanka blasts US President Donald Trump tweets, “Heartfelt condolences from the people of the United States to the people of Sri Lanka on the horrible terrorist attacks on churches and hotels that have killed at least 138 million people and badly injured 600 more. We stand ready to help!”





4:18 pm IST Colombo: People grieve after eight blasts struck various churches and hotels in Sri Lanka today Colombo: People grieve after eight blasts struck various churches and hotels in Sri Lanka today. Colombo: People grieve after eight blasts struck various churches and hotels in #SriLanka today. pic.twitter.com/pTjiQFLXt2 — ANI (@ANI) April 21, 2019





4:14 pm IST German Chancellor Angela Merkel condemns ‘religious hate and intolerance’ after Sri Lanka attacks German Chancellor Angela Merkel condemns ‘religious hate and intolerance’ after Sri Lanka attacks, reports AFP.





4:07 pm IST Violence can never be final solution to human disagreements: Kamal Haasan Kamal Haasan tweets, “Violence can never be the final solution to human disagreements. Ironic that the island that spawned the word serendipity is not able to find it. My deepest sympathies to those affected by the bombs in Srilanka. The government should be impartial and swift in rendering Justice”.





4:04 pm IST France president Emmanuel Macron condemns ‘odious’ Sri Lanka attacks France president Emmanuel Macron condemns ‘odious’ Sri Lanka attacks, reports AFP





3:53 pm IST Pope condemns Sri Lanka attacks Pope condemns Sri Lanka attacks as “such cruel violence,” says is close to Christians hit by “mourning and pain” at Easter, reports Reuters.





03.10 PM IST Eyewitness explains aftermath of blast Father Edmond Tillekeratne, social communications director for the Archdiocese of Colombo, said that the blast took place after Easter Mass, and that there were about 30 bodies lying in the area of the church. He said three priests had been celebrating the mass at the time of the blast. Two of them were badly injured by flying glass and debris, and one was only lightly injured because he was behind the altar, 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, quoted the news agency.





03.08 PM IST Sri Lanka shuts down access to major social media “UPDATE: #SriLanka government says it has shutdown access to major social media, messaging services,” tweeted Reuters.





03.06 PM IST Eighth explosion reported from housing complex Eighth explosion reported from housing complex in Colombo, quoted news agency.





03.00 PM IST Sri Lankan govt declares 12-hour curfew Sri Lankan government declares curfew across country from 6 pm Sunday to 6 am Monday, quoted news agency.





02.50 PM IST Eighth blast hits Sri Lanka in capital, death toll rises to 160 Police said the blast hit the suburb of Orugodawatta in the north of the capital, but there were no further details on what was targeted. Nearly 160 people have been confirmed dead so far in the string of attacks targeting hotels and churches, quoted news agency.





02.48 PM IST Sri Lankan govt declares curfew with immediate effect “UPDATE: #SriLanka government declares curfew with immediate effect, is unclear on when it will be lifted,” tweeted Reuters.





02.45 PM IST Eighth blast hits Colombo





02.42 PM IST Congress chief Rahul Gandhi tweets on Colombo attacks “I’m saddened & disturbed by reports of multiple bomb blasts in #Colombo in which over 100 people have died & more than 300 injured. I strongly condemn this diabolical act of terrorism. My condolences to the families of the victims. I pray the injured make a speedy recovery,” said Congress president Rahul Gandhi in a tweet.





02.15 PM IST New blast in Sri Lankan capital, two dead: Policeman A fresh blast hit a hotel in Sri Lanka’s capital Colombo on Sunday, killing at least two people, a police spokesman said, after a string of explosions at churches and hotels.





02.10 PM IST Two dead in seventh blast Two people died in the seventh in Dehiwela, near Colombo, reported news agency.





2.05 PM IST Seventh explosion reported in Dehiwela, near Colombo Another explosion, the seventh, reported in Dehiwela, near the Sri Lankan capital, reported news agency.





2.02 PM IST Sri Lanka attacks ‘truly appalling’: British PM The acts of violence against churches and hotels in Sri Lanka are truly appalling, and my deepest sympathies go out to all of those affected at this tragic time.



We must stand together to make sure that no one should ever have to practise their faith in fear. — Theresa May (@theresa_may) April 21, 2019





01.40 PM IST Turkish president condemns Sri Lanka blasts “I condemn in the strongest terms possible the Easter terror attacks in #SriLanka. This is an assault on all of humanity. On behalf of the Turkish people, I offer my condolences to the families of the victims and the people of #SriLanka, and wish a speedy recovery to the injured, tweeted Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.





1.35 PM IST Sri Lankan PM meets with security body Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has convened Sri Lanka’s top military officials at an emergency meeting of the National Security Council following a series of Easter Sunday blasts.





01.30 PM IST Pakistan PM condemns Colombo blasts “Strongly condemn the horrific terrorist attack in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday resulting in precious lives lost & hundreds injured. My profound condolences go to our Sri Lankan brethren. Pakistan stands in complete solidarity with Sri Lanka in their hour of grief,” said Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan.





01.25 PM IST Church’s roof blown out due to explosion Much of the church roof was blown out in the explosion, with roof tiles and splintered wood littering the floor and pools of blood in between wounded worshippers.





01.20 PM IST British, Dutch citizens were among those killed in blasts A hospital source said Americans, British and Dutch citizens were among those killed in the six blasts, which also injured hundreds of people.





01.15 PM IST Toll in Sri Lanka blasts rises to 156, including 35 foreigners The toll in a string of blasts Sunday at churches and hotels in Sri Lanka has risen to at least 156, including 35 foreigners, a police official told AFP.





01.10 PM IST Local TV showed damage at hotels Local TV showed damage at the Cinnamon Grand, Shangri-La and Kingsbury hotels. The Shangri-La’s second-floor restaurant was gutted in the blast, with the ceiling and windows blown out. Loose wires hung and tables were overturned in the blackened space.





01.05 PM IST Finance minister Arun Jaitley tweets on Sri Lanka blasts “Deeply saddened by the bomb blasts in #Colombo #SriLanka and killing of innocent people there. Such ghastly acts of violence are highly condemnable. My thoughts & prayers are with the bereaved families. Pray for speedy recovery of injured,” tweeted the leader.





01.00 PM IST President Kovind condemns Sri Lanka terror attacks “India condemns the terror attacks in Sri Lanka and offers its condolences to the people and government of the country. Such senseless violence, aimed at innocent people, has no place in civilised society. We stand in complete solidarity with Sri Lanka #PresidentKovind,” tweeted President Ram Nath Kovind





12.50 PM IST PM Modi condemns Sri Lanka attacks Strongly condemn the horrific blasts in Sri Lanka. There is no place for such barbarism in our region. India stands in solidarity with the people of Sri Lanka. My thoughts are with the bereaved families and prayers with the injured. — Chowkidar Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 21, 2019





12.45 PM IST Sri Lankan prime minister condemns ‘cowardly’ attacks Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe condemned a string of blasts that killed at least 137 people on Sunday as “cowardly” and said the government was working to “contain the situation.” “I strongly condemn the cowardly attacks on our people today,” he said in a tweet from his verified account.“I call upon all Sri Lankans during this tragic time to remain united and strong... The government is taking immediate steps to contain this situation.”





12.26 PM IST 138 killed, 400 injured in multiple explosions in Sri Lanka’s Colombo on Easter Easter Day bomb blasts at three Sri Lankan churches and three luxury hotels killed 138 people and wounded more than 400, hospital and police officials said





12.22 PM IST At least nine foreigners dead in Sri Lanka blasts: Police official At least nine foreigners dead in Sri Lanka blasts: Police official





12.19 PM IST Vice President of India tweets on Sri Lanka Blast I am shocked and deeply saddened to learn about the loss of innocent lives in multiple bombings on Easter Sunday in Colombo #SriLanka. My heartfelt condolences to the members of bereaved families and I wish a speedy recovery to the injured.





12.11 PM IST Sri Lanka Blast death toll rises to 129 Toll in Sri Lanka blasts rises to 129: Hospital sources





12.03 PM IST Sri Lanka police chief warned of possible suicide attacks: Report Sri Lanka police chief warned of possible suicide attacks before Sunday blasts: Document





11.59 AM IST Indian mission in Lanka issues helpline numbers ‘Indian citizens in need of assistance or help and for seeking clarification may call the following numbers : +94777903082 +94112422788 +94112422789,” the Indian High Commission in Colombo tweeted.





11.43 AM IST Congress tweets on Sri Lanka Blast We are deeply saddened by the terrible attacks on several churches in #SriLanka on the holy day of Easter. We stand with the people in their time of grief & pray for their recovery.





11.38 AM IST Emergency security meeting called to review An emergency security council meeting had been called to review the attacks that seem to be coordinated, Harsha de Silva, minister of economic reform and public distribution, said by phone.





11.33 AM IST ‘Shocked and saddened’ tweets Shashi Tharoor on Sri Lanka Blast Shocked & saddened by news of church & hotel bombings in SriLanka. Intolerance, bigotry & terrorism sadly know no borders or limits. Profound condolences to the families & my thoughts and prayers for that beautiful & tortured land.





11.20 AM IST Photo show damage by blasts Photos circulating on social media showed the roof of one church had been almost blown off in the blast. The floor was littered with a mixture of roof tiles, splintered wood and blood. Several people could be seen covered in blood, with some trying to help those with more serious injuries. The images could not immediately be verified.





11.17 AM IST Attacked Church seeks help via Facebook post ‘A bomb attack to our church, please come and help if your family members are there,” read a post in English on the Facebook page of the St Sebastian’s Church at Katuwapitiya in Negombo.





11.17 AM IST All forms of violence are unacceptable’, tweets Mamata Banerjee Saddened and shocked at the disturbing news coming in from Sri Lanka. All forms of violence are unacceptable. Easter is a Festival of Peace. My thoughts and prayers with the grieving families, said the West Bengal state chief, Mamata Banerjee. Saddened and shocked at the disturbing news coming in from Sri Lanka. All forms of violence are unacceptable. Easter is a Festival of Peace. My thoughts and prayers with the grieving families — Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) April 21, 2019





11.05 AM IST Pakistan foreign ministry spokesperson tweets on Sri Lanka explosions Pakistan condemns explosions and terrorist attacks in Sri Lanka at Churches & Hotels, that have led to numerous casualties and immense loss. People and Government of Pakistan stand by people and Government of Sti Lanka at this moment of tragedy and against terror @MFA_SriLanka — Dr Mohammad Faisal (@DrMFaisal) April 21, 2019





11.00 AM IST At least 42 dead: Police At least 42 dead in Sri Lanka church, hotel blasts, reported news agency AFP quoting police.





10.54 AM IST Sushma Swaraj tweets on Sri Lanka blasts Colombo - I am in constant touch with Indian High Commissioner in Colombo. We are keeping a close watch on the situation, said Sushma Swaraj. Colombo - I am in constant touch with Indian High Commissioner in Colombo. We are keeping a close watch on the situation. @IndiainSL — Chowkidar Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) April 21, 2019





10.50 AM IST 280 injured in Sri Lanka blasts The Colombo National Hospital spokesperson, Dr Samindi Samarakoon, said at least 280 people have been admitted with injuries.It was not immediately clear if the blasts had caused casualties, reported news agency.





10.44 AM IST Attacked churches, hotels frequently visited by tourists Sri Lanka security official says 6 near simultaneous blasts hit 3 churches and 3 hotels frequented by tourists, said police reported Associated Press.





10.40 AM IST Second explosion was reported at St. Sebastian’s Church in Negombo A second explosion was reported at St. Sebastian’s Church in Negombo, a Catholic majority town north of Colombo. The church has appealed for help on its Facebook page.





10.35 AM IST First blast ripped through St. Anthony’s Shrine in Colombo The first blast ripped through St. Anthony’s Shrine in Colombo. Alex Agileson, who was in the vicinity, said buildings in the surrounding area shook with the blast. He said a number of injured were carried in ambulances.





10.30 AM IST Total of six blasts at Sri Lanka churches and hotels: police Explosions have hit three churches and three hotels in and around the Sri Lankan capital of Colombo, police said Sunday. The blasts hit several high-end hotels and one church in the capital, while two additional churches were targeted outside Colombo, police said.



