Colombo, April 21 :Multiple explosions that hit two churches and two hotels in Sri Lanka on Sunday killed at least 20 people and wounded 160 more, Reuters said quoting local media.
The explosions hit churches when at around 8.45 am (local time), when Easter mass was under way, police spokesman Ruwan Gunasekera said.
Th death toll is likely to climb.
A source in the police bomb squad said that one of the explosions was at St Anthony’s Church in Kochcikade, Colombo.
“Our people are engaged in evacuating the casualties,” the source said.
Sources from two leading tourist hotels in Colombo also confirmed the explosions but did not give any details.
The Colombo National Hospital said at least 80 people have been admitted with injuries.
Reuters quoted police sources as saying two hotels were also hit by explosions. It is still unclear which hotels they were and how many people were wounded there.
“A bomb attack to our church, please come and help,” read a Facebook post from St Sebasitian’s Church at Katuwapitiutya, in the Western coastal town of Negombo.
St. Sebastian’s church at Katuwapitiya in Negombo posted pictures of destruction inside the church on its Facebook page, showing blood on pews and the floor, and requested help from the public.
There were no immediate claims of responsibility. Agencies
