Easter Day Sri Lanka Bombings Leave Over 200 Dead & 400 Injured

[Amber]

Easter should be a day of celebration. The Christian holiday is celebrated worldwide. The Easter holiday has brought with it a terrible massacre this year though. According to BBC, eight bombs placed in hotels and churches across Sri Lanka killed over 200 people and injured another 400. The attacks took place in and around Colombo. The first attack allegedly took place at Colombo's St Anthony's Shrine Catholic church. The second bombing occurred at the St. Sebastian's church north of the capital. A church in Batticaloa was attacked next, then, three hotels in Colombo were bombed. The attacks continued throughout the area surrounding Colombo. 

An estimated 450 people were harmed, and 207 people are confirmed dead, including 27 tourists visiting the country. The US state department said "several" American citizens had been killed. Those numbers are only preliminary, and officials expect that number to rise as the day continues. Investigators believe terrorists were targeting Christians, but no terrorist organization has taken responsibility for the attacks. There already have been several arrests in connection to the bombings. Defence Minister Ruwan Wijewardene told the media not to publish any names connected to the attacks, saying that it could lead to unnecessary tension. We will continue to follow up with this story as it unfolds. 

 

View the full article