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Sri Lanka attacks: What we know about the Easter bombings Sri Lanka attacks: What we know about the Easter bombings
(about 4 hours later)
On Easter Sunday, Sri Lanka was rocked by a series of bombings that killed more than 300 people at churches and top-end hotels. On Easter Sunday, suicide bombers killed at least 359 people and injured more than 500 at churches and top-end hotels across Sri Lanka.
It is the deadliest violence in the country since the end of the civil war a decade ago. Most of the victims are Sri Lankans, but at least 38 foreigners are also among the dead, including British, Indian and US nationals. Most victims were Sri Lankans, but at least 38 foreigners are among the dead, including British, Indian and US citizens.
The government says a little-known jihadist group was behind the attacks and police have made a number of arrests. The Islamic State (IS) group has said it was responsible, although it has not provided direct evidence of this. Evidence is mounting that local jihadists linked to the Islamic State (IS) group carried out the attack, and police have made a number of arrests.
Here is what we know so far:
What happened?What happened?
The first reports were at about 08:45 (03:15 GMT) on Sunday 21 April. Six blasts took place within a short space of time.The first reports were at about 08:45 (03:15 GMT) on Sunday 21 April. Six blasts took place within a short space of time.
Three were at churches - in the Kochchikade district of the capital, Colombo; in Negombo, to the north; and in the eastern city of Batticaloa. The other three blasts rocked the Shangri-La, Kingsbury and Cinnamon Grand hotels in Colombo.Three were at churches - in the Kochchikade district of the capital, Colombo; in Negombo, to the north; and in the eastern city of Batticaloa. The other three blasts rocked the Shangri-La, Kingsbury and Cinnamon Grand hotels in Colombo.
Two further explosions were reported later as police searched for suspects - one in Dehiwala in southern Colombo, and another one near the Colombo district of Dematagoda, during a police raid.Two further explosions were reported later as police searched for suspects - one in Dehiwala in southern Colombo, and another one near the Colombo district of Dematagoda, during a police raid.
The police have not given details about how many people died at each of the blast sites.
Late on Sunday, an improvised explosive device was found and disposed of close to the country's main airport, near Colombo.Late on Sunday, an improvised explosive device was found and disposed of close to the country's main airport, near Colombo.
And on Monday another blast rocked a street near a church in the capital. Police were attempting to defuse explosives in a vehicle used by the attackers when it blew up.And on Monday another blast rocked a street near a church in the capital. Police were attempting to defuse explosives in a vehicle used by the attackers when it blew up.
According to police sources, an attack on a fourth hotel failed and helped lead police to the Islamist group now blamed for the assault.According to police sources, an attack on a fourth hotel failed and helped lead police to the Islamist group now blamed for the assault.
How many people are dead? Who are the victims?
On Wednesday, the official death toll given by authorities rose to 359 with more than 500 injured.
Hundreds of Sri Lankan families are in mourning. One of the first victims to be indentified was celebrity chef Shantha Mayadunne. Other Sri Lankans killed included members of church congregations and staff at the hotels targeted.Hundreds of Sri Lankan families are in mourning. One of the first victims to be indentified was celebrity chef Shantha Mayadunne. Other Sri Lankans killed included members of church congregations and staff at the hotels targeted.
The confirmed international casualties are from the UK, Denmark, Portugal, India, Turkey, Australia, the Netherlands, Japan, Switzerland, Spain, Bangladesh, the US and China.The confirmed international casualties are from the UK, Denmark, Portugal, India, Turkey, Australia, the Netherlands, Japan, Switzerland, Spain, Bangladesh, the US and China.
Among the dead are three children of Danish billionaire Anders Holch Povlsen, owner of the Bestseller clothing chain and the largest shareholder in clothing giant Asos.Among the dead are three children of Danish billionaire Anders Holch Povlsen, owner of the Bestseller clothing chain and the largest shareholder in clothing giant Asos.
Who was behind the attacks? Who were the attackers?
On Monday Sri Lankan authorities said they believed a little-known local militant Islamist group known as National Thowheed Jamath (NTJ) was to blame. They said officials were investigating whether it had had "international help". On Monday Sri Lankan authorities said they believed a little-known local militant Islamist group known as National Thowheed Jamath (NTJ) was to blame.
On Tuesday, Islamic State said it had carried out the attacks. The group released a photo and video of the men it claims were responsible via its self-styled news outlet Amaq. On Tuesday, IS said it had carried out the attacks, and released video of men it says were the bombers, pledging allegiance to the group.
In the photo, all but one of the men can be seen with their faces covered. Some are holding knives. All but one of the men can be seen with their faces covered. Some are holding knives. The man with his face uncovered has been named as the bombers' suspected ringleader, Islamist preacher Zahran Hashim.
The video showed the eight men pledging allegiance to Islamic State. It is unclear if he was among the suicide bombers.
In a statement, Amaq said "members of the US-led coalition and Christians in Sri Lanka" had been targeted. IS said "members of the US-led coalition and Christians in Sri Lanka" had been targeted.
BBC security correspondent Gordon Corera says that while IS in the past has claimed attacks it was not involved in, their statement is being taken seriously due to the number of deaths. BBC security correspondent Gordon Corera says that while IS in the past has claimed attacks it was not involved in, their statement is being taken seriously due to the scale of the attacks.
The choice of targets is more in line with IS ideology than with traditional types of communal violence seen in Sri Lanka, he adds.The choice of targets is more in line with IS ideology than with traditional types of communal violence seen in Sri Lanka, he adds.
The Sri Lankan government is facing scrutiny after it emerged the authorities were warned about a possible attack. According to the Sri Lankan government, most of the attackers were "well educated" and had come from "middle or upper middle class" families.
Two were sons of a wealthy spice trader, Mohamed Ibrahim, who was arrested after the attacks.
How has the government responded?
It admitted a "major intelligence lapse" after it was revealed that an Indian intelligence warning from the beginning of the month about planned attacks was not properly shared by the authorities.
Security services had been monitoring the NTJ, but the prime minister and the cabinet were not warned, ministers said.Security services had been monitoring the NTJ, but the prime minister and the cabinet were not warned, ministers said.
President Sirisena has promised "stern action" over the failure to pass on the warnings and said he would restructure the country's police and security services. President Maithripala Sirisena moved to sack the defence secretary and inspector general of police.
Police have arrested 60 people and said all the attacks were carried out by suicide bombers. Those arrested have not been publicly identified. Some 60 arrests have been made and a curfew was imposed.
Sri Lanka's history and religion What is the country's religious make-up?
Sunday's attacks were the worst ever against Sri Lanka's small Christian minority, who make up just 7% of the 21 million population.Sunday's attacks were the worst ever against Sri Lanka's small Christian minority, who make up just 7% of the 21 million population.
Theravada Buddhism is Sri Lanka's biggest religion, accounting for about 70% of the population. Hindus and Muslims make up around 12% and 10% of the population respectively.Theravada Buddhism is Sri Lanka's biggest religion, accounting for about 70% of the population. Hindus and Muslims make up around 12% and 10% of the population respectively.
The attacks are Sri Lanka's deadliest act of violence since the end of the 26-year civil war in 2009.The attacks are Sri Lanka's deadliest act of violence since the end of the 26-year civil war in 2009.
The war is thought to have killed between 70,000 and 80,000 people and ended with the defeat of the Tamil Tigers, who had fought for independence for the Tamil minority.The war is thought to have killed between 70,000 and 80,000 people and ended with the defeat of the Tamil Tigers, who had fought for independence for the Tamil minority.