What we already know about the attacks in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka was on easter Sunday rocked by a series of attacks. In three churches and three high-end hotels scattered across the island exploded at the same time, explosives, with hundreds of result . This we already know about the attacks.

Where and when exactly?

Six of the eight explosions were Sunday morning place simultaneously. In the capital, Colombo, three luxury hotels hit: Shangri La, the Cinnamon Grand and the Kingsbury hotel.

Three other explosions occurred in churches where believers of the easter celebration to attend. The two churches in Negombo town, thirty kilometers north of Colombo, and a church in Batticaloa, 250 kilometers east of the capital.

Something for eleven hours there was a seventh explosion in a hotel in Dehiwala, a suburb of Colombo, near a zoo. It was also an eighth explosion reported at a block of flats in Dematagoda, a suburb east of Colombo.

How many victims are there?

The death toll runs heavy on. Sunday afternoon is spoken about at least 156 and 400 wounded, but as the attacks spread, the official authorities still don’t have an exact number to communicate.

There are also Belgians in the victims?

Sri Lanka is a tourist attraction, also for Europeans. According to local media should also be sure 35 foreign tourists from the luxury hotels among the fatalities. Among them a few with American and British nationality, said a spokesman of one of the hospitals of Colombo.

For now, there is no question of Belgian victims in Sri Lanka. According to tour operators Tui and Thomas Cook-Neckermann are their customers not located in the affected regions. The Belgian embassy requires to all Belgians to report and to contact the competent authorities.

What do we already know about the offenders?

Government officials have not yet confirmed that it is a terrorist attack, but according to local media, it seems as if the explosions were directed against religious places and the economy and as well as simultaneously took place. They speak of ‘a coordinated action of suicide’. So far no one has claimed responsibility.

In the past, Sri Lanka has repeatedly rocked by bomb and suicide attacks by the Tamiltijgers, a militant organization since the seventies fighting for an independent Tamilthuisland. In 2009, the organisation was, however, as ‘reports’ and it is not clear whether they are behind the explosions.