According to the latest statistics, the death toll in Sri Lanka has risen to 290 and more than 500 people have been injured, following eight bombings of luxury hotels and churches during a religious ceremony to celebrate the Easter holiday for Christians.
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| High number of victims of terrorist operations in Sri Lanka |
Police arrested 24 people after the bombings, but the government has not claimed responsibility for attacks on anyone.
Authorities announced a curfew throughout the country.
It is reported that social networks are temporarily restricted, with the aim of halting the spread of misinformation, and that popular messaging applications like Watsab and Facebook are not available to many.
Late Sunday, the Sri Lankan Air Force announced the discovery and dismantling of an explosive device near the country's main airport in Colombo.
The spokesman, Guihan Sieniviratni, told the local media that a plastic tube, "1.8 meters long with explosives," had been discovered.
How did the attacks take place?
The first reports of the bombings came at around 8:45 am (0315 GMT on Sunday) and six explosions were reported within a short period of time.
Three churches in the cities of Ngombo, Batticaloa and the Kuchikadi region of Colombo were targeted during the Easter prayers. The bombings also hit Shangri La, Kingzbury and Cinnamon Grand hotels in the capital, Colombo.
As police began hunting down the perpetrators, two more explosions were reported, one near the zoo in the Diwiala district and the other near Dimatagoda district in Colombo during a police raid, killing three officers.
The government has suggested suicide bombings have been used in some locations, which have been attacked.
At a news conference on Sunday evening, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe commented on rumors that officials had received advance information about the attacks.
"We have to look into why we have not taken adequate precautions, neither the ministers nor I have been informed," he said.
Sri Lankan Airlines said citizens were still able to travel to Bandaranaike International Airport, despite a curfew.
Passengers were required to show the boarding pass and their identity at the checkpoints and arrive four hours before departure.
Who are the victims?
The vast majority of the dead are believed to be Sri Lankans, including dozens of Christians, who died during the Eid prayers in churches.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka said it believed that 36 foreign nationals were among the dead, most of whom remained unidentified in the Colombo morgue.
Among the dead are foreigners:
At least five Britons, including two with US citizenship in addition to their British citizenship.
Three Danish citizens.
A Portuguese citizen and three Indian citizens, according to Sri Lankan officials.
Two Turkish engineers, according to the Anatolia News Agency.
One person from the Netherlands.
What are international reactions?
World leaders expressed their shock and condolences to Sri Lanka on these bloody bombings.
The lights of many international landmarks were extinguished, or illuminated by the colors of the Sri Lankan flag, including the Eiffel Tower in France, on Sunday evening in solidarity with Sri Lanka.
Pope Francis of Rome, in his traditional Vatican speech, condemned the attacks as "brutal violence" against Christians celebrating Easter.
A spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterich said he was "angry" at the attacks and hoped that "the perpetrators would be brought to justice quickly."
"Acts of violence against churches and hotels in Sri Lanka are truly shocking," British Prime Minister Theresa May said in a tweet on Twitter.
US President Donald Trump, in a tweet on Twitter, expressed "heartfelt condolences" for the "terrorist attacks."
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Moody condemned the bombings and expressed his country's solidarity with Sri Lanka in this ordeal and condolences to the families of the victims, stressing that "there is no place for such barbarism in our region."
The New Zealand prime minister, who targeted attacks on a Muslim mosque that killed 50 people last month, described the Sri Lanka bombings as "devastating."
"Collectively, we must find the will and the solutions to end this violence," said Jacinda Ardirn.
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