At least 160 dead in explosions inside Colombo churches and 5-star hotels

Sri Lankan military officials stand guard in front of the St. Anthony''s Shrine, Kochchikade church after an explosion in Colombo. (Reuters Photo)

Multiple explosions took place in Sri Lanka's capital Colombo on Sunday morning. At least 160 people have died and 400 have been injured in explosions in three churches and three five-star hotels.

A blast took place in a church in Batticaloa, followed by explosions reported inside three five-star hotels in the city - Shangri La, Cinnamon Grand and Kingsbury. Explosions were also reported from St. Anthony's church in Kochchikade while there was another explosion in St.Sebastian's Church in Katuwapitiya. More than 300 people - including foreign tourists - have been injured.

There are also reports that explosions have taken place outside of Colombo, in different parts of the country.

BREAKING: Six blasts in Sri Lanka Churches and hotels on Easter, 80 injured. pic.twitter.com/HdC8KNGXSc — Zee News (@ZeeNews) April 21, 2019

Another explosion reported at @CinnamonGrandC. Stay away from crowded places. #SriLanka #LKA #Blast #Cinnamon #Colombo

Pic by @Bhanoob pic.twitter.com/iUNHAokfqB — Budu? (@BuduMalli) April 21, 2019

????????? ??????? ????? ?? ????????? ?? @AzzamAmeen pic.twitter.com/3YlieWOlCa — Mahesh Madusanka ?????????? (@MaheshNegombo) April 21, 2019

Initial reports suggest that church-goers may have been specifically targeted on the occasion of Easter.

Meanwhile, the airport in Colombo has been put on high alert while all available security personnel have been called in for emergency services. Leaves of security personnel have been revoked.

There is no report on whether any Indian citizen has died or is injured even as the Indian embassy in Colombo monitors the situation.

Explosions have been reported in Colombo and Batticaloa today. We are closely monitoring the situation. Indian citizens in need of assistance or help and for seeking clarification may call the following numbers : +94777903082 +94112422788 +94112422789 — India in Sri Lanka (@IndiainSL) April 21, 2019

The Sri Lankan authorities have not issued an official statement yet.

(This is a breaking news report and more details would be added as and when available)