Explosions at churches and hotels in Sri Lanka: '50 killed and 280 injured'
Sky News Alison Chung, news reporter,Sky News 25 minutes ago

At least 40 killed in Sri Lanka explosions on Easter
At least 50 people have been killed and 280 others injured after a series of blasts hit three churches and three hotels in Sri Lanka.

Police said more than 50 people had died at St Sebastian's Church in Katuwapitiya, north of Colombo.

Hospital officials in Colombo said there were further fatalities in the capital but it is not known how many.

A security official said near-simultaneous blasts hit the six locations, causing multiple fatalities among worshippers and hotel guests.

He said at least two of the church attacks were suspected to have been carried out by suicide bombers.

Explosions ripped through St Sebastian's Church, St Anthony's Shrine in Colombo, and another place of worship in the eastern town of Batticaloa.

Eye-witnesses at St Anthony's Shrine said buildings in the surrounding area shook with the force of the blast.

A source in the police bomb squad said: "Our people are engaged in evacuating the casualties."

Sources from two leading tourist hotels in Colombo said they have been hit by explosions but did not give any further details. A third hotel was also identified as being a target.

None of the three hotels have been officially identified.

Sky News' Asia correspondent Tom Cheshire said: "It suggests a coordinated, targeted attack on Christians. It is very unusual for Sri Lanka.

"It's very, very worrying as people are trying to celebrate Easter."

There have been no immediate claims of responsibility.

More to follow...

Al Jazera are quoting way higher numbers but it still seems unclear. Happy Easter religion!

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Unlke the new Zealand massacre, front page news for a week, it will be forgotten about after tomorrow and it is unlikely that Jeremy Corbyn will visit the Sri Lankan embassy to lay a wreath and then visit a church, he is quick off the mark when the slightest thing happens to a muslim. Will Imams be holding a minutes silence today in mosques? will they even mention it ?

Charlie