More than 280 injured in Sri Lanka blasts that hit three churches and three hotels on Easter Sunday

A hospital spokesman said at least 30 people were killed.

Sri Lankan Army soldiers secure the area around St. Anthony's Shrine after a blast in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Sunday, April 21, 2019.

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — A Sri Lanka hospital spokesman says six Easter Sunday blasts killed at least 30 people and wounded 283 others.

National Hospital spokesman Dr. Samindi Samarakoon says the nearly 300 wounded have been admitted to the capital Colombo's main hospital.

The near-simultaneous blasts hit three churches and three hotels frequented by tourists, said a Sri Lanka security official who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to reporters.

The official suspects at least two of the blasts were caused by suicide bombers.

The first blast ripped through St. Anthony's Shrine in Colombo.

One church, St. Anthony's Shrine, and the three hotels are in Colombo and are frequented by foreign tourists. The other two churches are in Negombo, a Catholic majority town north of Colombo, and the eastern town of Batticaloa.

Alex Agileson, who was in the vicinity, said buildings in the surrounding area shook with the blast. He said a number of injured were carried in ambulances.

A second explosion was reported at St. Sebastian's Church in Negombo, a Catholic majority town north of Colombo. The church has appealed for help on its Facebook page.

Sri Lankan security officials said they were checking for details. Police immediately rushed to both areas and sealed off the churches.

Source: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/six-blasts-hit-three-churches-three-hotels-sri-lanka-n996751