Colombo, April 23: The death toll in the ghastly bomb blasts in Sri Lanka that hit churches and luxury hotels in the island nation on April 21 reached 310 on Tuesday. Over 500 people have injured in explosions that took place during Easter celebrations. A total of eight coordinated explosions targeted Easter worshippers and high end popular hotels across the island nation. The blasts were reported from churches and luxury hotels across the country. The Sri Lankan government on Monday announced that it will compensate the victims. Serial Blasts In Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday, Churches And Hotels Hit; Nearly 156 People Dead, Over 400 Injured.
The explosions targeted St Anthony’s Church in Colombo, St Sebastian’s Church in the western coastal town of Negombo and another church in the eastern town of Batticaloa around 8.45 am while people prayed on the occasion of Easter Sunday. Meanwhile, three explosions were reported from the five-star hotels – the Shangri-La, the Cinnamon Grand and the Kingsbury.
The death toll of Indians deceased in the incident now stands at eight. On Monday, two more Indians, identified as Vemurai Tulsiram and S R Nagaraj, were reported to be dead in the multiple blasts, the Indian High Commission confirmed. In wake of the situation in the neighbouring nation, the Indian Coast Guard has been put on high alert along the maritime boundary with Sri Lanka. Names Of Churches And Hotels That Were Attacked On Easter Sunday.
A national emergency has been declared in Sri Lanka in the wake of the deadly blasts. According to reports, police have till now arrested 24 people, reportedly members of a Muslim radical group, in connection with the bloodiest attacks in a decade.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 23, 2019 10:09 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).