At least 262 people killed, several hundred hurt in bombings targeting churches, hotels across Sri Lanka
  • 5 years ago
Now on to the Easter Day tragedy in Sri Lanka.
A series of coordinated blasts have killed more than 2-hundred people while injuring several hundred others.... recalling the island country's violent past.
Our Hong Yoo has the latest.
At least 262 people have been confirmed dead and several hundred have been injured in the attacks on eight locations including churches and hotels in a number of different cities.
Around 32 foreign nationals are among the dead, including several Americans and 5 British nationals.
The death toll is expected to rise.
It's unclear who is behind the attacks, but around 13 people -- all Sri Lankans -- have been arrested in connection with the coordinated bombings.
"Orders have been given to find those responsible for this. They will be given all powers they want. We can't allow these kind of crimes to take place. We will also look into the shortcomings. For the next few days the important thing is to maintain peace."
The six initial explosions that took place at three churches and three hotels appeared timed to cause maximum casualties among worshippers attending Easter Sunday services and customers eating breakfast in the hotels' restaurants.
"I heard the explosion and then the roof fell on us. We took the children and ran out from the rear door. But when I came to the hospital I saw my brother-in-law and son on the ground."
The Sri Lankan government has declared a curfew in Colombo, the nation's capital where most of the bombings took place, and has blocked access to social media and messaging sites such as Facebook and WhatsApp.
Several hours after the attacks, local security forces raided a house in Colombo, during which three officers died from suicide bomb explosions.
Sunday's violence punctures a decade of relative peace in the country following the end of its civil war in 2009.
Sri Lanka has since turned itself into a popular tourist destination.
Hong Yoo, Arirang News.