More Than 200 Dead in Attack on Hotels and Churches in Sri Lanka

A minimum of eight bombings struck multiple hotels and churches, killing more than 200 people in Sri Lanka on Sunday.

The attacks targeted three luxury hotels favored by foreigners – the Shangri-La, the Cinnamon Grand, and the Kingsbury – and three Catholic houses of worship, St. Sebastian’s Church in Negombo, St. Anthony’s Shrine in Colombo, and Zion Church in Batticaloa.

The attacks in the churches were timed to take place when they were filled with worshipers were celebrating Easter Mass.

A police department spokesman, Ruwan Gunasekera, told reporters that at least 207 people were killed and an additional 450 people had been injured but the numbers are far from final.

At least 27 of the dead were foreigners, officials said. Police have arrested seven in connection with the attack so far.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks at press time. The attacks were carried out by suicide bombers.

(Photo: Accura Media Group)