Sri Lanka: Death toll from bombings rises to at least 138 April 21 /update 3

Event

The director of Sri Lanka’s National Hospitals has confirmed at least 138 fatalities from the series of bombings across the country as of approximately 12:20 (local time) on Sunday, April 21. Around 300 people were also wounded in the blasts, which targeted three churches and three international hotels. In Colombo, devices detonated at St. Anthony’s Church, the Shangri La Hotel, Cinnamon Grand Hotel, and the Kingsbury Hotel. St. Sebestian’s Church in Negombo and the Zion Church in Batticaloa were also targeted in the attacks. Recovery efforts are ongoing and casualty counts are expected to rise as more information is released. A heightened security presence is anticipated at all blast sites.

Context

According to initial reports, the bombings occurred at approximately 08:45 and appear to have been coordinated. No group has immediately claimed responsibility for the attacks.

Advice

Individuals in Sri Lanka, particularly in the abovementioned areas, are advised to monitor developments to the situation, avoid all blast areas as a precaution, report any suspicious objects or behavior to the police, and obey all instructions issued by the authorities.