This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen
on .
It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/south_asia/7404147.stm
The article has changed 14 times. There is an available.
Version 7 |
Version 8 |
Suicide bomb in Sri Lanka capital |
Suicide bomb in Sri Lanka capital |
|
(19 minutes later)
|
At least 10 people have been killed in a suicide attack in the heart of Sri Lanka's capital Colombo, the army says. | At least 10 people have been killed in a suicide attack in the heart of Sri Lanka's capital Colombo, the army says. |
Seven police personnel, two civilians and the bomber died when a motorcycle packed with explosives rammed into a bus carrying police, officials said. | Seven police personnel, two civilians and the bomber died when a motorcycle packed with explosives rammed into a bus carrying police, officials said. |
More than 90 people were hurt in the carnage near a five-star hotel in the city's central business district. | More than 90 people were hurt in the carnage near a five-star hotel in the city's central business district. |
The army blamed Tamil Tiger rebels. Violence has risen since the government pulled out of a truce this year. | The army blamed Tamil Tiger rebels. Violence has risen since the government pulled out of a truce this year. |
Army spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara told the BBC that the dead included three women police constables. | Army spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara told the BBC that the dead included three women police constables. |
Dozens of civilians are among the wounded. | Dozens of civilians are among the wounded. |
President Mahinda Rajapaksa accused the Tamil Tigers of "cowardice and brutality". There was no immediate word from the rebels. | President Mahinda Rajapaksa accused the Tamil Tigers of "cowardice and brutality". There was no immediate word from the rebels. |
'Like an earthquake' | 'Like an earthquake' |
The blast happened near the Hilton Hotel and a twin-tower commercial building at around 1230 local time (0700 GMT). | The blast happened near the Hilton Hotel and a twin-tower commercial building at around 1230 local time (0700 GMT). |
| The bus was badly damaged in the blast (Photo: Sri Lanka Ministry of Defence) |
Ekanjith Rawwalage, head of customer services at the hotel, told BBC News that the blast took place near a police checkpoint outside the hotel. | Ekanjith Rawwalage, head of customer services at the hotel, told BBC News that the blast took place near a police checkpoint outside the hotel. |
"It was a loud explosion. It felt like an earthquake," said Mr Rawwalage. | "It was a loud explosion. It felt like an earthquake," said Mr Rawwalage. |
He said some window panes of the hotel had been damaged by the explosion. He said all the guests were safe and the hotel gates had been shut. | He said some window panes of the hotel had been damaged by the explosion. He said all the guests were safe and the hotel gates had been shut. |
Mr Rawwalage said he had seen ambulances rushing the injured to the hospital. | Mr Rawwalage said he had seen ambulances rushing the injured to the hospital. |
The area is also the site of the official residence of Sri Lanka's president and has been targeted in the past by Tamil Tiger rebels. | The area is also the site of the official residence of Sri Lanka's president and has been targeted in the past by Tamil Tiger rebels. |
The Tigers have fought for a generation for an independent state for the Tamil minority in the island's north and east. | The Tigers have fought for a generation for an independent state for the Tamil minority in the island's north and east. |
About 70,000 people have been killed since the civil war began in 1983. | About 70,000 people have been killed since the civil war began in 1983. |
|
|
Are you in the area? Did you see what happened? Send us your comments by filling out the form below. | Are you in the area? Did you see what happened? Send us your comments by filling out the form below. |
| |