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| Sri Lanka Bombings Live Updates: Terror Group Is Identified and Death Toll Rises | Sri Lanka Bombings Live Updates: Terror Group Is Identified and Death Toll Rises |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| • The Sri Lankan police have arrested 24 people in connection with a series of devastating suicide bombings at hotels and churches on Easter Sunday that left nearly 300 people dead and more than 500 injured. | • The Sri Lankan police have arrested 24 people in connection with a series of devastating suicide bombings at hotels and churches on Easter Sunday that left nearly 300 people dead and more than 500 injured. |
| • The government on Monday blamed National Thowheeth Jama’ath, a little-known radical Islamic terror organization, for the attacks. More than two weeks ago, a police official warned of a threat on churches by the group, but the authorities failed to act on the information. | • The government on Monday blamed National Thowheeth Jama’ath, a little-known radical Islamic terror organization, for the attacks. More than two weeks ago, a police official warned of a threat on churches by the group, but the authorities failed to act on the information. |
| • A forensic analysis of body parts found at six sites determined that seven suicide bombers conducted attacks at three churches and three hotels, according to The Associated Press. Most attacks were carried out by a single bomber, but two men targeted the Shangri-La Hotel in Colombo. Two other bombings at a guesthouse and the suspects’ safe house remain under investigation. | • A forensic analysis of body parts found at six sites determined that seven suicide bombers conducted attacks at three churches and three hotels, according to The Associated Press. Most attacks were carried out by a single bomber, but two men targeted the Shangri-La Hotel in Colombo. Two other bombings at a guesthouse and the suspects’ safe house remain under investigation. |
| • A dusk-to-dawn curfew was implemented for a second night on Monday in Colombo, the capital. And major social media and messaging services, including Facebook and WhatsApp, have been blocked by the government to curb the spread of misinformation. | • A dusk-to-dawn curfew was implemented for a second night on Monday in Colombo, the capital. And major social media and messaging services, including Facebook and WhatsApp, have been blocked by the government to curb the spread of misinformation. |
| The death toll rose significantly overnight to 290, the police said on Monday, adding that about 500 people had also been wounded in the attacks on sites across the country. | The death toll rose significantly overnight to 290, the police said on Monday, adding that about 500 people had also been wounded in the attacks on sites across the country. |
| Sri Lanka’s Foreign Ministry said that at least 36 foreigners were among those killed. Those countries that have confirmed their citizens were killed include the United States, Australia, Britain, China, Japan and Portugal. | Sri Lanka’s Foreign Ministry said that at least 36 foreigners were among those killed. Those countries that have confirmed their citizens were killed include the United States, Australia, Britain, China, Japan and Portugal. |
| Ruwan Gunasekera, a police spokesman, would not reveal how many people were killed in each location.. | Ruwan Gunasekera, a police spokesman, would not reveal how many people were killed in each location.. |
| The identities of the victims have started to emerge. These are their stories. | The identities of the victims have started to emerge. These are their stories. |
| Officials on Monday said a little-known Islamist group, that promotes Islamic terrorist ideology in Southeast Asia was responsible for the attacks. | Officials on Monday said a little-known Islamist group, that promotes Islamic terrorist ideology in Southeast Asia was responsible for the attacks. |
| The group, National Thowheeth Jama’ath, had a reputation for vandalizing Buddhist statues but little history of carrying out terrorist attacks. | The group, National Thowheeth Jama’ath, had a reputation for vandalizing Buddhist statues but little history of carrying out terrorist attacks. |
| Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne called the group “a local organization” and said the suicide bombers all appeared to be Sri Lankan nationals. | Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne called the group “a local organization” and said the suicide bombers all appeared to be Sri Lankan nationals. |
| Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe of Sri Lanka said Sunday that he had not been informed of the advisory issued 10 days ago about a threat from the group, leading to concerns of an intelligence failure. | |
| The State Department said that terrorist groups “continue plotting possible attacks in Sri Lanka” and raised its travel advisory to warn visitors about potential threats. | The State Department said that terrorist groups “continue plotting possible attacks in Sri Lanka” and raised its travel advisory to warn visitors about potential threats. |
| It said terrorists could attack “with little or no warning,” and listed several potential targets, including tourist spots, transportation centers, markets, malls, government offices, hotels and places of worship. | It said terrorists could attack “with little or no warning,” and listed several potential targets, including tourist spots, transportation centers, markets, malls, government offices, hotels and places of worship. |
| The travel advisory level was raised to “exercise increased caution,” the second lowest of four levels. It had previously been at the lowest level, “exercise normal precautions.” | The travel advisory level was raised to “exercise increased caution,” the second lowest of four levels. It had previously been at the lowest level, “exercise normal precautions.” |
| The advisory gave no specific details of any groups that could be planning attacks, or who might be responsible for Sunday’s violence. | The advisory gave no specific details of any groups that could be planning attacks, or who might be responsible for Sunday’s violence. |
| Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade also raised its advisory level following the attacks and urged travelers on Monday to “reconsider your need” to go to Sri Lanka. | Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade also raised its advisory level following the attacks and urged travelers on Monday to “reconsider your need” to go to Sri Lanka. |
| Sri Lankan officials temporarily blocked several social media networks, including Facebook and Instagram. Users also reported being unable to access the messaging services WhatsApp and Viber. | Sri Lankan officials temporarily blocked several social media networks, including Facebook and Instagram. Users also reported being unable to access the messaging services WhatsApp and Viber. |
| Though Sunday’s attacks have no known link to social media, Sri Lanka has a troubled history with violence incited on the platforms. The ban was an extraordinary step that reflects growing global concerns about social media. | Though Sunday’s attacks have no known link to social media, Sri Lanka has a troubled history with violence incited on the platforms. The ban was an extraordinary step that reflects growing global concerns about social media. |
| Look at images from the devastation of the Easter Sunday attacks, and glimpse how the country is starting to mourn. | Look at images from the devastation of the Easter Sunday attacks, and glimpse how the country is starting to mourn. |