FREE now and never miss the top politics stories again. SUBSCRIBE Invalid email Sign up fornow and never miss the top politics stories again. We will use your email address only for sending you newsletters. Please see our Privacy Notice for details of your data protection rights.

The blasts were reported in Colombo and Negombo, in the south west of the country 37 kilometres apart, as Christians celebrate Easter Sunday. Another blast was reported in Batticaloa, on the other side of the island. A Sri Lanka security official said six near-simultaneous blasts hit the churches and hotels.

An official said the church attacks are suspected to have been carried out by suicide bombers, but there are no immediate claims of responsibility for the attacks. Following six initial explosions, a seventh blast at hotel opposite the Dehiwala Zoo was reported by police in Colombo, police report. Shortly after, an eighth blast was reported by local media at a home in the Colombo suburb of Dematagoda. It is understood at three police officers were killed in the blast. Dramatic footage shows the moment people were detained by police at the Dematagoda home.

More than 400 people have been wounded in the six blasts

Minister of Economic Reforms and Public Distribution Harsha de Silva tweeted today two additional blasts "seem to be by those in the ring running from the law". The government has restricted access to Facebook, Whatsapp and Viber on the island and have imposed a curfew for the entire country. All domestic flights had been suspended until further notice. At one church, St Sebastian's in Katuwapitiya, more than 50 people were killed, according to officials. Horrifying images show bloodied pews, a destroyed roof and bodies scattered on the ground.

A graphic showing where the explosions were in Sri Lanka

Media reports 25 people were killed in the attack on the chruch in Batticaloa. At least 27 foreigners are dead, local media reports. A spokesman from the Foreign Office said: "We are aware of reports of a number of explosions in Sri Lanka, including Colombo, and we are urgently seeking information from the local authorities. "British nationals in Sri Lanka should follow the instructions of the local authorities and check FCO travel advice for updates." At least five Britons are feared dead, the Sri Lankan ministry of foreign affairs has said.

Sri Lankan military officials stand guard in front of the St. Anthony's Shrine, Kochchikade church

A Foreign Office spokesman said: "We can confirm that British nationals were among those killed in today's horrific attacks in Sri Lanka. "Our staff are supporting the relatives of the victims and are continuing to work with the relevant authorities to obtain further information. "We extend our deepest condolences to those who have lost loved ones and all those affected by this senseless tragedy." US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said "several US citizens were among those killed". In a statement, the White House condemned the attacks, saying the US "stands with the Sri Lankan government and people as they bring to justice the perpetrators of these despicable and senseless acts."

Three churches were attacked in Sri Lanka

Three Danish and two Turkish citizens are among those killed, the country's respective foreign ministries confirmed. A TV chef and her daughter have been named as the first victims of the Easter Sunday bomb attack in Sri Lanka today. The family of Shantha Mayadunne ahd been staying at the Shangri-La hotel in Colombo, whch is one of the four hotels bombed today. Nisanga, Shantha's daughter, shared a her last picture on Facebook before the attack with the captaion "Easter breakfast wtih family". She had previously studied at the University of London, her profile states.

Ambulance outside St. Anthony's Shrine in Kochchikade, Colombo

The churches targeted were the St Anthony’s Chruch in Kochchikade and the St Sebestian’s Church in Katuwapitiya, Katana, at well as on in Batticaloa. The explosions occurred around 8:45am local time (4:15 BST). The three hotels targeted were the five-star Shangri-La Hotel and Cinnamon Grand as well as the Kingsbury hotels in central Colombo. It is unclear whether there were casualties from the hotel blasts. The blast at the Cinnamon Grand was less than 3km from Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe 's residence.

Buildings in the surrounding area of the blasts shook according to eyewitnesses who saw a number of injured people carried in ambulances. Colombo National hospital said several wounded had been brought in for treatment. St Sebastian’s church at Katuwapitiya in Negombo posted pictures of destruction inside the church on its Facebook page, including images of blood on pews and the floor. Mr Wickremesinghe called a national security council meeting at his home for later in the day. In a tweet he said: "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.

Sri Lankan officials believe the attacks were carried about by suicide bombers

"Please avoid propagating unverified reports and speculation. The government is taking immediate steps to contain this situation." A Cinnamon Grand official told AFP agency the explosion ripped through a restaurant killing at least one person there. Government minister Mano Ganeshan is at the scene of one of the attacks and expressed his shock at the tragedy. A source in the police bomb squad reportedly said: "Our people are engaged in evacuating the casualites." Out of Sri Lanka's total population of around 22million, 7.6 percent are Christian, according to the country's 2012 census.

Six locations were targeted on the Easter Sunday attacks