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Sri Lanka attacks: hospitals and morgues scoured in search for the missing - live news Sri Lanka attacks: hospitals and morgues scoured in search for the missing - live news
(about 3 hours later)
Scotland Yard has released a statement following the attacks. Deputy Assistant Commissioner, Dean Haydon, the senior national coordinator for counter-terrorism policing, said:
My thoughts and condolences are with the people of Sri Lanka and all those who have been affected by the devastating attacks that took place yesterday, which has claimed the lives of hundreds of people.
We now also know that at least eight British people were killed during the attacks and Counter Terrorism Policing is working with our colleagues from the Foreign Office to support the families affected.
A number of churches were targeted during the attacks but we stand together with communities of all faiths, and we will continue to work with our communities and our partners to counter the threat no matter where it comes from.
Together with our intelligence partners we continually monitor the varied threats we face, including to and around places of worship and specific communities across the country, to ensure we have the most appropriate protective security measures in place to keep people safe.
Officers across the UK regularly engage with communities of all faiths, giving advice on how people and places can protect themselves and this work will continue.
I would urge places of worship to also carry out our online training package ‘ACT Awareness eLearning’ for advice on Protective Security and how to react should the worst happen. It can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/news/act-awareness-elearning. I’d also encourage everyone to be aware of our Run, Hide, Tell advice.
We stand together with Sri Lankan communities and all those who have been affected and left shocked and horrified by these attacks in Sri Lanka.
Spain’s foreign ministry said two of the country’s citizens were among those killed in Sri Lanka.
Earlier, the mayor of the town of Pontecesures, in the northern Galicia region, told the Spanish news agency EFE that the dead were a couple aged 31 and 32 who had been on holiday on the island.
The Spanish government offered no further details.
The nationwide curfew is about to begin in Sri Lanka so news from the island might slow down. Please refresh the live blog as I have been adding to posts throughout the day.The nationwide curfew is about to begin in Sri Lanka so news from the island might slow down. Please refresh the live blog as I have been adding to posts throughout the day.
Here’s what we know so far:Here’s what we know so far:
At least 290 people have been killed and 500 injured by a series of eight explosions targeting churches and hotels in Sri Lanka on Sunday night.At least 290 people have been killed and 500 injured by a series of eight explosions targeting churches and hotels in Sri Lanka on Sunday night.
24 people have been arrested, and the defence minister Ruwan Wijewardene said the culprits were religious extremists, but no group has yet claimed responsibility.24 people have been arrested, and the defence minister Ruwan Wijewardene said the culprits were religious extremists, but no group has yet claimed responsibility.
The prime minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe, said security services had been “aware of information” of a possible attack up to 10 days ago planned by the radical Islamist group National Thowheeth Jama’ath, and said the government “must look into why adequate precautions were not taken”. Sri Lankan cabinet spokesman, Rajitha Senaratne, later said authorities were warned on 4 April.The prime minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe, said security services had been “aware of information” of a possible attack up to 10 days ago planned by the radical Islamist group National Thowheeth Jama’ath, and said the government “must look into why adequate precautions were not taken”. Sri Lankan cabinet spokesman, Rajitha Senaratne, later said authorities were warned on 4 April.
Most of the dead are believed to have been Sri Lankans, but roughly 30 foreign citizen have been confirmed killed, including eight British nationals, three Indians and one Japanese citizen, and others.Most of the dead are believed to have been Sri Lankans, but roughly 30 foreign citizen have been confirmed killed, including eight British nationals, three Indians and one Japanese citizen, and others.
The government has shut down social media and messaging services to prevent the spread of misinformation, which has hammered efforts by friends and family from outside Sri Lanka to make contact with loved ones.The government has shut down social media and messaging services to prevent the spread of misinformation, which has hammered efforts by friends and family from outside Sri Lanka to make contact with loved ones.
The coordinated attacks began with seven initial explosions – at four hotels and three churches – with another explosion later detonated while suspects fled from police.The coordinated attacks began with seven initial explosions – at four hotels and three churches – with another explosion later detonated while suspects fled from police.
Defence minister Wijewardene said suicide bombers were responsible for the majority of the bombings.Defence minister Wijewardene said suicide bombers were responsible for the majority of the bombings.
US president Donald Trump called the Sri Lankan prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on Monday to express condolences to the Sri Lankan people. The attack is one of the deadliest terrorist events since 9/11.US president Donald Trump called the Sri Lankan prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on Monday to express condolences to the Sri Lankan people. The attack is one of the deadliest terrorist events since 9/11.
Here’s the full readout from the White House.Here’s the full readout from the White House.
The White House says Trump spoke to the prime minister of Sri Lanka: pic.twitter.com/6V5oRNKnPWThe White House says Trump spoke to the prime minister of Sri Lanka: pic.twitter.com/6V5oRNKnPW
Sri Lankans scoured hospitals and morgues for missing loved ones on Monday, a day after suicide bomb attacks on churches holding Easter services and luxury hotels killed 290 people and wounded about 500.Sri Lankans scoured hospitals and morgues for missing loved ones on Monday, a day after suicide bomb attacks on churches holding Easter services and luxury hotels killed 290 people and wounded about 500.
Outside the national hospital in Colombo, a woman named Rameshwary said she was searching for a 17-year-old friend who attended morning mass at St. Anthony’s Shrine, one of three Catholic churches hit in the coordinated attack.Outside the national hospital in Colombo, a woman named Rameshwary said she was searching for a 17-year-old friend who attended morning mass at St. Anthony’s Shrine, one of three Catholic churches hit in the coordinated attack.
“We kept calling her after we heard of the incident, but there was no response,” she said, showing a photograph of the missing girl on her mobile phone.“We kept calling her after we heard of the incident, but there was no response,” she said, showing a photograph of the missing girl on her mobile phone.
Sri Lanka is predominately Buddhist but its 22 million people include Christians, Muslims and Hindus.Sri Lanka is predominately Buddhist but its 22 million people include Christians, Muslims and Hindus.
The military for decades battled ethnic minority Tamil separatists, most of them Hindu, but violence had largely ended since a government victory 10 years ago.The military for decades battled ethnic minority Tamil separatists, most of them Hindu, but violence had largely ended since a government victory 10 years ago.
No group claimed responsibility for Sunday’s attacks. Colombo, the seaside capital of the Indian Ocean island, was jittery on Monday, with rumours of more blasts spooking residents as police searched for the bombers. Another device exploding while a bomb squad tried to defuse it.No group claimed responsibility for Sunday’s attacks. Colombo, the seaside capital of the Indian Ocean island, was jittery on Monday, with rumours of more blasts spooking residents as police searched for the bombers. Another device exploding while a bomb squad tried to defuse it.
A curfew for a second night went into effect at 8 p.m. Most of the 290 dead and 500 wounded were Sri Lankans although government officials said 32 foreigners were killed. Many of the dead have yet to be identified.A curfew for a second night went into effect at 8 p.m. Most of the 290 dead and 500 wounded were Sri Lankans although government officials said 32 foreigners were killed. Many of the dead have yet to be identified.
Catholic priests joined relatives and friends trying to put names to the dead at one mortuary.Catholic priests joined relatives and friends trying to put names to the dead at one mortuary.
A man said a friend was searching for his sister, Kiruba, who had gone to Sunday mass. They looked for her at the bombed church and a nearby hospital, but had found no trace.A man said a friend was searching for his sister, Kiruba, who had gone to Sunday mass. They looked for her at the bombed church and a nearby hospital, but had found no trace.
“That’s why we came here,” the man told Reuters Television.“That’s why we came here,” the man told Reuters Television.
At least five workers from an Indian political party on holiday after working on India’s general election were among some 290 people killed in bomb attacks in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday, a government official said.At least five workers from an Indian political party on holiday after working on India’s general election were among some 290 people killed in bomb attacks in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday, a government official said.
Another two from a seven-member group from the party, the Janata Dal Secular (JDS), were missing. The group was on an outing after voting took place on Thursday in India’s general election in the southern state of Karnataka.Another two from a seven-member group from the party, the Janata Dal Secular (JDS), were missing. The group was on an outing after voting took place on Thursday in India’s general election in the southern state of Karnataka.
They were staying at the Shangri-La hotel in the Sri Lankan capital, Colombo. A suicide bomber attacked the hotel as guests sat down to a buffet breakfast.They were staying at the Shangri-La hotel in the Sri Lankan capital, Colombo. A suicide bomber attacked the hotel as guests sat down to a buffet breakfast.
“They were having breakfast on the second floor when the blast occurred,” Rajath B, a family friend of one of the victims, KG Hanumantharayappa, told Reuters.“They were having breakfast on the second floor when the blast occurred,” Rajath B, a family friend of one of the victims, KG Hanumantharayappa, told Reuters.
Family in India got to know of the blast from the television.” The JDS is part of the ruling coalition in Karnataka state. It is contesting the general election in an alliance with India’s main opposition Congress party. The staggered general election began on April 11 and will end on May 19.Family in India got to know of the blast from the television.” The JDS is part of the ruling coalition in Karnataka state. It is contesting the general election in an alliance with India’s main opposition Congress party. The staggered general election began on April 11 and will end on May 19.
The party’s leader, who is also Karnataka’s chief minister, H D Kumaraswamy, said he was deeply pained by the loss. “They were ... committed workers of our party and their death has brought immense sorrow to us,” he said on Twitter.The party’s leader, who is also Karnataka’s chief minister, H D Kumaraswamy, said he was deeply pained by the loss. “They were ... committed workers of our party and their death has brought immense sorrow to us,” he said on Twitter.
Thirty-two foreigners were killed in the bomb attacks on churches holding Easter Sunday services and upmarket hotels.Thirty-two foreigners were killed in the bomb attacks on churches holding Easter Sunday services and upmarket hotels.
No group has claimed responsibility but suspicion is focusing on Islamist militants. At least seven Indians were killed, Indian officials said.No group has claimed responsibility but suspicion is focusing on Islamist militants. At least seven Indians were killed, Indian officials said.
At least four US nationals were killed in the coordinated suicide attacks across Sri Lanka yesterday, a US official has told CNN. It was unclear if the death toll includes the two US-UK nationals who were among the eight UK citizens that died in the attacks.At least four US nationals were killed in the coordinated suicide attacks across Sri Lanka yesterday, a US official has told CNN. It was unclear if the death toll includes the two US-UK nationals who were among the eight UK citizens that died in the attacks.
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip have issued a statement following the Easter Sunday attacks.Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip have issued a statement following the Easter Sunday attacks.
The 93-year-old monarch said:The 93-year-old monarch said:
Prince Philip and I were deeply saddened to learn of the attacks in Sri Lanka and send our condolences to the families and friends of those who have lost their lives.Prince Philip and I were deeply saddened to learn of the attacks in Sri Lanka and send our condolences to the families and friends of those who have lost their lives.
I pay tribute to the medical and emergency services who are providing support to those who have been injured. Our thoughts and prayers are with all Sri Lankans at this difficult time.I pay tribute to the medical and emergency services who are providing support to those who have been injured. Our thoughts and prayers are with all Sri Lankans at this difficult time.
In a separate statement, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge said:In a separate statement, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge said:
We have been deeply saddened to learn of the devastating attacks in Sri Lanka this Easter Sunday.We have been deeply saddened to learn of the devastating attacks in Sri Lanka this Easter Sunday.
Senseless acts like these in places that people would expect to be at their safest are truly horrifying.Senseless acts like these in places that people would expect to be at their safest are truly horrifying.
Our hearts go out to the families and friends of those who have lost their lives, to the Christian community, and to the people of Sri Lanka at this tragic time. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.Our hearts go out to the families and friends of those who have lost their lives, to the Christian community, and to the people of Sri Lanka at this tragic time. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
The Prince of Wales has sent the following message to The President of Sri Lanka. Read the message here https://t.co/PE44dXg2dFThe Prince of Wales has sent the following message to The President of Sri Lanka. Read the message here https://t.co/PE44dXg2dF
The education publishing company Pearson said their employee Dieter Kowalski was killed in the terror attacks in Sri Lanka on Sunday, the first US national to be named.The education publishing company Pearson said their employee Dieter Kowalski was killed in the terror attacks in Sri Lanka on Sunday, the first US national to be named.
Kowalski, a senior leader of the company’s operation services team, was killed in an explosion just after he arrived at his hotel in Colombo.Kowalski, a senior leader of the company’s operation services team, was killed in an explosion just after he arrived at his hotel in Colombo.
Pearson CEO John Fallon paid tribute to his “big-hearted and full-spirited” colleague in an open letter to staff.Pearson CEO John Fallon paid tribute to his “big-hearted and full-spirited” colleague in an open letter to staff.
CNN: Dieter Kowalski from Colorado was identified as one of the Americans killed in the attacks in Colombo, Sri Lanka on Sunday, according to Pearson, the education publishing company that Kowalski worked for. RIP pic.twitter.com/IVuNQQss84CNN: Dieter Kowalski from Colorado was identified as one of the Americans killed in the attacks in Colombo, Sri Lanka on Sunday, according to Pearson, the education publishing company that Kowalski worked for. RIP pic.twitter.com/IVuNQQss84
The UK foreign office has confirmed that eight British nationals were killed in the Easter Sunday attacks. The statement comes after the Sri Lankan high commissioner to the UK, Manisha Gunasekera, reported the deaths earlier on Monday.The UK foreign office has confirmed that eight British nationals were killed in the Easter Sunday attacks. The statement comes after the Sri Lankan high commissioner to the UK, Manisha Gunasekera, reported the deaths earlier on Monday.
Sadly, we can now confirm that at least 8 British Nationals were killed in yesterday’s horrific attacks in #Srilanka. Our deepest condolences go to all those who lost loved ones and have been affected by this tragedy.Sadly, we can now confirm that at least 8 British Nationals were killed in yesterday’s horrific attacks in #Srilanka. Our deepest condolences go to all those who lost loved ones and have been affected by this tragedy.
The Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe has sent his condolences to the victims of Sunday’s suicide bombings. One Japanese citizen died in the attacks.The Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe has sent his condolences to the victims of Sunday’s suicide bombings. One Japanese citizen died in the attacks.
I would like to offer my prayers for the victims of the attacks, as well as my heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and my sympathies to the wounded.I would like to offer my prayers for the victims of the attacks, as well as my heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and my sympathies to the wounded.
Japan expresses sincere solidarity with Sri Lankan people to overcome this difficult time.Japan expresses sincere solidarity with Sri Lankan people to overcome this difficult time.
Such act of terrorism cannot be justified and Japan firmly condemns it. Japan is firmly committed to combatting terrorism in cooperation with Sri Lanka and the international community.Such act of terrorism cannot be justified and Japan firmly condemns it. Japan is firmly committed to combatting terrorism in cooperation with Sri Lanka and the international community.
An update from our south Asia correspondent, who was near the controlled explosion outside a church in Colombo.An update from our south Asia correspondent, who was near the controlled explosion outside a church in Colombo.
There was chaos outside St Anthony’s Church on Monday afternoon after a suspicious package was discovered inside the dense neighbourhood that surrounds the house of worship that was gutted by a bomb on Easter Sunday.There was chaos outside St Anthony’s Church on Monday afternoon after a suspicious package was discovered inside the dense neighbourhood that surrounds the house of worship that was gutted by a bomb on Easter Sunday.
People ran screaming from their homes carrying their children as police ran the other direction brandishing their rifles. A short time after, police detained a youth in a green T-shirt, stripping him of his watch and searching under his clothes before they tried to haul him towards a police car. But they were blocked by a mob that quickly formed and started beating the man, forcing the police to take shelter with him inside the nearest building. The angry crowd tried to force its way inside the building for several minutes.People ran screaming from their homes carrying their children as police ran the other direction brandishing their rifles. A short time after, police detained a youth in a green T-shirt, stripping him of his watch and searching under his clothes before they tried to haul him towards a police car. But they were blocked by a mob that quickly formed and started beating the man, forcing the police to take shelter with him inside the nearest building. The angry crowd tried to force its way inside the building for several minutes.
“See how we are living?” said one man, as people ran past him screaming and in tears. “How can we manage like this?”“See how we are living?” said one man, as people ran past him screaming and in tears. “How can we manage like this?”
A few minutes later, a sharp explosion was heard from the neighbourhood, sparking new waves of fear. Police said the sound was their bomb disposal units defusing a suspicious package that had been found in a van parked near the church. There was thick smoke in the air afterwards and two ambulances arrived at the scene with screaming sirens.A few minutes later, a sharp explosion was heard from the neighbourhood, sparking new waves of fear. Police said the sound was their bomb disposal units defusing a suspicious package that had been found in a van parked near the church. There was thick smoke in the air afterwards and two ambulances arrived at the scene with screaming sirens.
Police have now clarified it was a controlled explosion of a suspicious package found in a van https://t.co/wWfvpYHmeQPolice have now clarified it was a controlled explosion of a suspicious package found in a van https://t.co/wWfvpYHmeQ
An explosion went off on Monday in a van near a church in Sri Lanka where scores were killed the previous day, when bomb squad officials were trying to defuse it, a Reuters witness said.An explosion went off on Monday in a van near a church in Sri Lanka where scores were killed the previous day, when bomb squad officials were trying to defuse it, a Reuters witness said.
“The van exploded when the bomb defusing unit of the STF (Special Task Force) and air force tried to diffuse the bomb,” the witness said.“The van exploded when the bomb defusing unit of the STF (Special Task Force) and air force tried to diffuse the bomb,” the witness said.
Security force spokesman were not immediately available for comment.Security force spokesman were not immediately available for comment.
The Guardian’s Michael Safi was nearby and posted these videos on Twitter.The Guardian’s Michael Safi was nearby and posted these videos on Twitter.
Huge panic just now outside St Anthony’s church. People fleeing the scene in terror amid reports a suspicious package was discovered pic.twitter.com/1gUuKEEYjkHuge panic just now outside St Anthony’s church. People fleeing the scene in terror amid reports a suspicious package was discovered pic.twitter.com/1gUuKEEYjk
This young man has just been arrested outside St Anthony’s church. As police took him away people formed a mob around him, and police are now sheltering him inside a building. Visceral rage and fear pic.twitter.com/ltarDXFwabThis young man has just been arrested outside St Anthony’s church. As police took him away people formed a mob around him, and police are now sheltering him inside a building. Visceral rage and fear pic.twitter.com/ltarDXFwab
Small explosion outside St Anthony’s church right now. People fleeing the scene pic.twitter.com/GjadgTwoZ5Small explosion outside St Anthony’s church right now. People fleeing the scene pic.twitter.com/GjadgTwoZ5