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Sri Lanka attacks: Death toll revised down by 'about 100' Sri Lanka attacks: Death toll revised down by 'about 100'
(32 minutes later)
Sri Lanka has revised down the death toll from Sunday's blasts by more than 100, to "about 253", the health ministry says.Sri Lanka has revised down the death toll from Sunday's blasts by more than 100, to "about 253", the health ministry says.
It has blamed a calculation error.It has blamed a calculation error.
Suicide bombers struck hotels and churches in the Colombo area and the eastern city of Batticaloa. Hundreds were injured, officials said.Suicide bombers struck hotels and churches in the Colombo area and the eastern city of Batticaloa. Hundreds were injured, officials said.
Most of those killed were Sri Lankans, but dozens of foreigners were also casualties. Nine people are suspected of carrying out the attacks.Most of those killed were Sri Lankans, but dozens of foreigners were also casualties. Nine people are suspected of carrying out the attacks.
Police have continued carrying out raids and have issued photographs of seven people wanted in connection with the attacks.Police have continued carrying out raids and have issued photographs of seven people wanted in connection with the attacks.
The authorities blamed a local Islamist extremist group, National Thowheed Jamath (NTJ), soon after the blasts but say the bombers must have had outside help.The authorities blamed a local Islamist extremist group, National Thowheed Jamath (NTJ), soon after the blasts but say the bombers must have had outside help.
The Islamic State group said it was behind the attacks and published a video showing eight men but provided no evidence of direct involvement.The Islamic State group said it was behind the attacks and published a video showing eight men but provided no evidence of direct involvement.
In other developments:In other developments:
Why was the initial death toll wrong?Why was the initial death toll wrong?
Sri Lankan Deputy Defence Minister Ruwan Wijewardene said morgues had provided inaccurate figures.Sri Lankan Deputy Defence Minister Ruwan Wijewardene said morgues had provided inaccurate figures.
Another official, the head of health services, told Reuters news agency there had been so many body parts it was "difficult to give a precise figure".Another official, the head of health services, told Reuters news agency there had been so many body parts it was "difficult to give a precise figure".
According to the health ministry, all autopsies had been completed late on Thursday and it transpired that some victims had been counted more than once.According to the health ministry, all autopsies had been completed late on Thursday and it transpired that some victims had been counted more than once.
BBC World Service South Asia editor Jill McGivering says the revised figure comes as the government is struggling to restore its credibility - amid criticism of its apparent failure to respond to intelligence warnings before the attacks.BBC World Service South Asia editor Jill McGivering says the revised figure comes as the government is struggling to restore its credibility - amid criticism of its apparent failure to respond to intelligence warnings before the attacks.
It's also battling to counter fake news and false rumours about the crisis, she says. This sudden dramatic revision is unlikely to help.It's also battling to counter fake news and false rumours about the crisis, she says. This sudden dramatic revision is unlikely to help.
What is the situation with the Muslim minority?What is the situation with the Muslim minority?
Muslims in Sri Lanka are reporting feeling fearful and say they are facing persecution.Muslims in Sri Lanka are reporting feeling fearful and say they are facing persecution.
Many of those in Negombo belong to a minority sect, the Ahmadi. Some have been sheltering in a mosque under police protection.Many of those in Negombo belong to a minority sect, the Ahmadi. Some have been sheltering in a mosque under police protection.
Ahmadi Muslims identify as Muslim and follow the Koran, but are viewed by many orthodox Muslims as heretical.Ahmadi Muslims identify as Muslim and follow the Koran, but are viewed by many orthodox Muslims as heretical.
Many of those living in Sri Lanka have fled from persecution elsewhere, including Pakistan.Many of those living in Sri Lanka have fled from persecution elsewhere, including Pakistan.
However since Sunday's attacks some have reported physical attacks, being kicked out by landlords or having their homes broken into. The Prime Minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe, has admitted that some Ahmadi have been subject to attacks. Of Sri Lanka's 21-million population, just under 10% are Muslims.
"Today these refugees have become refugees again in Sri Lanka. They have been displaced for a second time," Ruki Fernando from Inform, a Sri Lankan rights group, said. A community in fear
Auranzeb Zabi, an Ahmadi Pakistani refugee who has lived in Sri Lanka for two years, told the New York Times he had been forced from his home in Negombo on Wednesday by a mob with weapons. Muralitharan Kasiviswanathan, BBC Tamil, Negombo
Mr Zabi reported being followed, and along with his son, beaten. As of Wednesday, more than 600 Ahmadis had taken refuge at Faizul Mosque in Negombo, one of the five Ahmadi mosques in Sri Lanka.
Associated Press reports that a group of 200 have been sheltering inside their mosque inside Negombo while 500 more are said to have sought shelter 20 miles away. Most of the Ahmadis were renting their homes from Catholic Christians. Although the bomb blasts happened on 21 April, it was on the 24th that things got scary for the Ahmadis.
"The people in Pakistan attacked us and say we're not Muslims," Tariq Ahmed, 58, told AP. "Then in Sri Lanka, people attack us because they say we are Muslims." "My home is some streets away from the church. After the attack, the owner of my house was very worried and asked me to be safe somewhere. I am paying 13,000 rupees [£58; $74] for that house. Most of us paid a year's rent an advance. Where will we go now?" asks 27-year-old Habis Rabba Soaib.
The Prime Minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe, has admitted that some Ahmadi have been subject to attacks. About 800 Ahmadis from Pakistan live here with the help of the UN refugee agency, UNHCR. Fearing religious prosecution, they fled Pakistan and came to Negombo. From here they seek asylum in European countries or the US.
Of Sri Lanka's 21-million population, just under 10% are Muslims. Although the Faizul mosque is small, officials of the mosque are taking care of them and sending most of them to another mosque, Pesalay, which is in a safer location. This mosque is now guarded by army and the police.
More than 5,000 native Ahmadis live in Negombo. Many of them have lived here for years and now own houses and businesses.
"Since we are here for a long time, nobody is threatening us," says one of the Muslim youths who is busy helping the Pakistanis.