Sunday, April 21, 2019

290 people died and about 500 were injured after bomb attacks targeted hotels and churches in Sri Lanka on Easter. The bombs exploded in three churches and three hotels. There were eight explosions in total. The Sri Lankan governmant has named National Thowheed Jamath, an Islamist terrorist group, responsible.

Six of the explosions targeted churches and hotels. The other two took place as police looked for the culprits and killed three suspects. A ninth, unexploded bomb was found and dealt with at the capital city’s main airport.

Twenty-four suspects have been arrested by police. However, the identity of the bombers have not been disclosed to the public. The attacks were confirmed to be suicide bombings. Following these attacks, The police forces has also discovered places where the terrorist groups had used to hide weapons, such as firearms, swords and bombs…. during one of these investigations in a suspicious house bombs had exploded by a 3 suicide bombers who were hiding inside the house… the police were able recover some of the bodies which were buried in the remains of the house.

Most of those dead are citizens of Sri Lanka. Others include several United States citizens and five British citizens, two of whom were also citizens of the U.S., died. Three citizens of Denmark, two citizens of Turkey, one citizen of the Netherlands, some citizens of Saudi Arabia six citizens of India, two citizens of China, two citizens of Australia, one citizen of Japan and one citizen of Portugal, a citizen of Bangladesh have also died in these attacks. 25 more foreign nationals have yet to be identified. The public has not been told how many died in each bombing.

Flights have not been cancelled. It is, however, advised to turn up four hours before the flight departs.

Sri Lanka’s president, Ranil Wickremesinghe said “we must look into why adequate precautions were not taken. Neither I nor the Ministers were kept informed. For now the priority is to apprehend the attackers.”

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During his speech, Urbi and Orbi, Pope Francis called the attacks “such cruel violence”.

One of United Nations Secretary-General’s, António Guterres, spokespersons said that he felt “outraged” and wanted the culprits to be “swiftly brought to justice”.

The Cardinal Archbishop for the region said, “It’s a very difficult and a very sad situation for all of us because we never expected such a thing to happen and especially on Easter Sunday.”

Britain’s Prime Minister, Theresa May, said that the “acts of violence against churches and hotels in Sri Lanka are truly appalling”.

U.S. president, Donald Trump, sent his “heartfelt condolences”.

Sri Lanka’s Muslim community, including the umbrella group National Shoora Council, has denounced the attacks.

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