Sri Lanka news: At least five British citizens killed in bomb attacks on hotels and churches
Three people from UK and two with dual US and UK citizenships among the dead
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Your support makes all the difference.At least five Brits have been killed in attacks in Sri Lanka, according to the country’s ministry of foreign affairs.
Three are from the UK and two held dual US and UK citizenship.
The Sri Lankan ministry of foreign affairs listed the known nationalities of foreigners killed as three from India, one from Portugal, two from Turkey, three from the UK and two holding US and UK nationality.
A Dutch national and a Chinese national have also been reported as among the victims.
A foreign ministry statement also said nine foreigners have been reported missing, while there are reportedly 25 unidentified bodies believed to be those of foreigners at the Colombo Judicial Medical Officer’s mortuary.
The British high commissioner to Sri Lanka James Dauris has urged Britons to get in touch with family members to let them know they are safe.
Mr Dauris said it was too soon to say how many British people had been affected.
At least 207 people were killed and about 450 injured during eight explosions in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday morning.
Three churches and three luxury hotels were targeted in quick succession from about 8.45am in Colombo, Negombo and Batticaloa.
Just hours later more blasts rang out in Dehiwala and Dematagoda on the outskirts of Colombo.
Most of the attacks were carried out by suicide bombers, it is believed.
No one has taken responsibility for the killings, but police arrested seven suspects.
The Easter attacks are the worst bloodshed Sri Lanka has seen since its brutal civil war ended a decade ago.
Mr Dauris said: “I’ve been speaking this afternoon with Brits in hospital who have been affected by today’s senseless attacks.
“My team’s and my thoughts go out to all those people who are suffering as a result of the deplorable violence Sri Lanka has witnessed this Easter Sunday.”
More follows…
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