Over 200 killed as bombers hit churches, hotels in Sri Lanka

Over 200 persons have been killed and 450 hurt in explosions at churches and hotels in Sri Lanka.

Worshippers were celebrating Easter at three churches in Negombo, Batticaloa and Colombo’s Kochchikade district when the bombers struck.

The Shangri-La, Kingsbury and Cinnamon Grand hotels and one other, all in the capital, were also targeted.

Responding to the coordinated attacks, the authorities in Sri Lanka declared a national curfew and blocked social media networks temporarily.

The police also announced the arrest of seven suspects. Ruwan Gunasekera, police spokesman, put the death toll at 207.

“Altogether we have information of 207 dead from all hospitals. According to the information as of now we have 450 injured people admitted to hospitals,” he told reporters.

President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed sadness over the attacks, calling on the authorities not to spare “the wicked elements”.

In a statement which Garba Shehu, his spokesman, issued on his behalf, Buhari extended his deepest condolences to the families of those killed in the attacks and wished speedy recovery to the injured.

“We stand with victims of terrorism all over the world because we know and understand this harrowing inhuman activity,” the president said.