India issues helpline numbers for Sri Lanka blasts

Yesterday morning, as the Christians in Sri Lanka gathered to celebrate Easter, the bombings began in three churches.

At least 207 people were killed in these blastings including 35 foreigners and over 450 people were injured.

This is the largest targeted attack on South Asian Christians in recent days.

The three churches are St Anthony’s Church in Colombo, St Sebastian’s Church in the western coastal town of Negombo and another church in the eastern town of Batticaloa.

In addition to that, the explosions were reported from two five star hotels, the Shangri-La, the Cinnamon Grand and the Kingsbury.

The entire world condemned the deadly blasts. India also condemned the horrific serial blasts in Sri Lanka. Prime Minister said that India stands in solidarity with the people of Sri Lanka.

India was closely monitoring the condition in Sri Lanka. In this context, the government issued helpline numbers.

The Indian High Commission in Colombo tweeted the helpline numbers for Indians who need assistance or help. The helpline numbers are: +94777903082, +94112422788, +94112422789, +94777902082 and +94772234176

Seven suspects were arrested that have a connection with the bombings during a police raid on Colombo House. The officials said that suicide bombers had set off the explosions.

Sri Lanka temporarily blocked all major social media services including Facebook and WhatsApp in order to reduce the spread of misinformation.

The series of eight blasts shook the country. The first six blasts are the major attacks that hit three churches and three five-star hotels during Easter mass yesterday morning. These simultaneous blasts killed hundreds of innocent people.

The seventh blast killed two people in the Capital. The eighth blasts killed three police officers by a suicide bomber in Colombo. The country declared curfew after the eighth blast in Colombo.

Image Credit: Dumi Jay CC BY 2.0

Image Reference: https://www.flickr.com/photos/dumindaxsb/2713879524