It was Easter Sunday and Christians across the world were involved in holy services when eight blasts hit locations including churches and hotels across Sri Lanka, leaving at least 290 people dead and 450 injured
The dead include five Indians identified as Lakshmi, Narayan Chandrashekhar, Ramesh, K G Hanumantharayappa, and M Rangappa, confirmed Indian Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj on Twitter.
Congregations were taking part in Easter Sunday services at the churches when the blasts hit.
The five-star Shangri-La, Kingsbury, Taprobane, and Cinnamon Grand hotels in the heart of Colombo were targeted.
At least 290 people died in the blasts and around 450 people were injured, foreign minister Sushma Swaraj said on Sunday after a conversation with her Lankan counterpart Tilak Marapana.
In a series of tweets, Swaraj said, “Indian High Commission in Colombo has conveyed that National Hospital has informed them about the death of three Indian nationals. Their names are Lakshmi, Narayan Chandrashekhar and Ramesh. We are ascertaining further details.”
Indian High Commission in Colombo has conveyed that National Hospital has informed them about the death of three Indian nationals. Their names are Lokashini, Narayan Chandrashekhar and Ramesh. We are ascertaining further details. /3
— Chowkidar Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) April 21, 2019
@SushmaSwaraj
We sadly confirm the deaths of the following two individuals in the blasts yesterday:
– K G Hanumantharayappa
-M Rangappa.— India in Sri Lanka (@IndiainSL) April 22, 2019
Another woman from Kerala, PS Razeena, 58, who had settled in Dubai, also died in the blasts, reported news agency IANS.
“I conveyed to the Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka that India is ready to provide all humanitarian assistance. In case required, we are ready to despatch our medical teams as well,” read another tweet from Swaraj.
Indians in distress may please contact Indian High Commission in Colombo. We will provide you all assistance. @IndiainSL Our helpline numbers are :
+94777903082,+94112422788,+94112422789, +94112422789.
Pls RT— Chowkidar Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) April 21, 2019
The death toll could rise significantly as hospitals report casualty figures. At least 27 foreigners are known to have died.
When a police team entered a house in the Colombo north suburb of Orugodawatta to conduct a search, a suicide bomber blew himself up.
On Sunday, in consequence to serial blasts, the Lankan government announced a curfew and lifted on Monday morning. In addition, social media was also shut down by Lankan government.
Though no group has accepted responsibility for the blasts, the police have arrested 13 people.
