Sri Lanka: hundreds killed in Easter Sunday bombings

Broken statue at St Anthony's Catholic Shrine in Kochchikade

Source: Vatican Media, Release International

Unknown attackers set off at least seven massive explosions on Easter Sunday morning at three churches and four hotels in Sri Lanka. Two of the churches targeted were Catholic and one was an evangelical church.

The first blast hit St Anthony's Catholic Shrine in Kochchikade, a district north of the capital Colombo, causing heavy casualties. Dozens of people died at St Sebastian's Catholic Church in Negombo, another district north of Colombo. The targeted evangelical church was in Batticaloa in Eastern Province, where more than two dozen people were killed.

The explosions struck within a short period of time, all targeting the faithful as Easter services were beginning.

At around the same time on Sunday morning, blasts struck four hotels in Colombo, including the Shangri-La Kingsbury, Cinnamon Grand. At least 207 people have been killed. More than 450 are injured.

Speaking at the end of his Easter Urbi et Orbi address to pilgrims in St Peter's Square Pope Francis said: "I wish to express my heartfelt closeness to the Christian community of Sri Lanka, wounded as it was gathered in prayer, and to all the victims of such cruel violence."

The Holy Father said the multiple attacks on churches and hotels around Sri Lanka "have wrought grief and sorrow."

"I entrust to the Lord all those who have tragically perished," he said, "and I pray for the injured and all those who suffer as a result of this tragic event."

Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, the Archbishop of Colombo, said it is "a very, very sad day for all of us. I wish, therefore, to express my deepest sorrow and sympathy to all those innocent families that have lost someone, and also to those who have been injured and rendered destitute."

Cardinal Ranjith said: "I condemn - to the utmost of my capacity - this act that has caused so much death and suffering to the people."

He also called on Sri Lanka's government to hold "a very impartial, strong inquiry and find out who is responsible behind these acts."

Paul Robinson, CEO of Release International, which supports persecuted Christians around the world, said: "The scale of this horror takes our breath away. All-too often Easter becomes the focus for violence against Christians. We're shocked and appalled and our prayers go out for our brothers and sisters in Sri Lanka.

"Christians in many countries are on high alert for attacks timed to disrupt the most joyful service of the year - Easter Sunday. But terrorism can never overcome the central truth of the Gospel - Christ is risen. Please pray for our brothers and sisters in Sri Lanka and wherever Christians face violence around the world."