At least 207 people have been killed and 450 more were injured in eight separate explosions at churches and hotels in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday. From all indications, the acts of terrorism were carefully orchestrated.
The Associated Press reports that six of the blasts went off almost simultaneously Sunday morning in three churches where worshipers were celebrating Easter and in three luxury hotels frequented mainly by foreign tourists.
Hours later, a seventh explosion rocked a guesthouse, killing two people, and an eighth near an overpass on the outskirts of Colombo, the capital, killed three police officers who had gone to question suspects following a tip.
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According to BBC News, seven people have been arrested, though police have not revealed their identities or motives. But clear signs point to the strong likelihood that the attacks were targeted mainly at Sri Lanka’s 1.5 millions Christians. The heaviest damage and greatest number of casualties occurred at St. Sebastian’s church in Negombo and at St. Anthony’s, a popular shrine in Colombo.
This is a developing story. Updates will be added as new information becomes available.
