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photo source: mediafax.ro

Posted by: Mazur Rodica

News / International

22 Apr. 2019 / 09:50

Sri Lanka: Toll of Sunday's bombings climbed to 290 dead and 500 wounded

Approximately 290 people were killed and 500 injured in suicide bombings on Sunday in Sri Lanka, according to a new report announced Monday by local police and quoted by France Presse, Agerpres writes.

"The toll is about 290 dead and 500 injured. 24 people were arrested in connection with this wave of attacks that were not claimed at this stage," police spokesman Ruwan Gunasekera said.

On Sunday, several hours later, several bombs caused death and desolation in four hotels and three churches during the Easter Mass in several places on the island of South Asia, which no longer saw such an outbreak of violence since the end of the civil war ten years ago.

Eight explosions in total hit Sri Lanka on Sunday. A dozen foreigners have been killed in this country that attracts tourists with its idyllic beaches and lush nature.

Their exact number "is difficult to determine. Approximately 37 foreigners died, of whom 11 were identified. Some of the bodies are mutilated and hard to identify," an Foreign Affairs official told AFP.

Police announced on Monday that a craft bomb was found Sunday night on a road to the main terminal of Colombo Airport and that it was successfully defused by the Sri Lankan air force. The airport remains open under high security conditions following the attacks.

Approximately 1.2 million Catholics live in Sri Lanka, a country of 21 million, where Christians account for 7% of the population, mostly Buddhist (70%). The country also includes 12% Hindus and 10% Muslims.

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