Sri Lanka explosions: British citizens caught in blasts

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Media captionDeadly explosions strike across Sri Lanka

British citizens have been caught in explosions at hotels and churches in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday.

Police say 207 people have been killed and at least 450 injured in eight blasts, six of which were in Colombo.

The UK's High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, James Dauris, said: “I've been speaking this afternoon with Brits in hospital who have been affected by today's senseless attacks.”

Officials in Sri Lanka say there have been at least 27 foreign casualties.

Two Turkish nationals and one Dutch national are among those to have died.

The total number of British nationals affected is unknown at this stage, Mr Dauris said.

• Scores die in Sri Lanka church attacks

• Follow the latest updates in the attacks

He urged those still in the country to contact relatives and to follow instructions from local authorities

In Colombo, St Anthony's Shrine and the Cinnamon Grand, Shangri-La and Kingsbury hotels were targeted.

There were also explosions at a hotel near Dehiwala zoo and in the residential district of Dematagoda.

There were also blasts in St Sebastian's Church in Negombo, a town approximately 20 miles north of Colombo, and at Zion Church in Batticaloa on the east coast.

Image copyrightReutersImage caption St Sebastian's Church in Negombo was severely damagedImage copyrightReutersImage caption Sri Lankan soldiers stand guard outside the Kochchikade church in Colombo

Julian Emmanuel and his family, from Surrey, were staying at the Cinnamon Grand when they were woken up by the explosion.

“There were ambulances, fire crews, police sirens,” he told the BBC.

I came out of the room to see what's happening, we were ushered downstairs.

“We were told there had been a bomb. Staff said some people were killed. One member of staff told me it was a suicide bomber.”

'Lucky to be alive'

Tourist Marisa Keller, from London, was staying at the Shangri-La in Colombo, but wasn't in the hotel when it was attacked. She said she was “lucky to be alive”.

“My cousin called to say a hotel had been bombed,” she said. We saw the ambulances at the Cinnamon Grand and said 'you're right'.

Then we got back to the Shangri-La and saw everybody outside. The staff were trying to make sure who was safe and who was not.

There were lots of bodies, blood, ambulances, police. Swat teams were sent in.

“One side of the hotel was blocked off. They were letting people back in because of the hot sun.”

Image copyrightGetty ImagesImage caption Sri Lankan police at the site of an explosion at the luxury Shangri-La hotel in Colombo

Dan Wicock, 31, from Leicester, was staying in Negombo for work. After hearing of the blasts, he went to visit St Sebastian's, which is approximately a mile from his hotel.

“I was surprised I could get so close to the church,” he said.

You couldn't see much - there were trucks outside and military.

There quite a few upset people standing outside and every now and then the guards would let someone through. I took some photos but then they asked me to stop so I went away.

“There's been no advice from the hotel about stay inside or and there's no extra security. All the restaurants and shops in the town are still open.”

Image copyrightReutersImage caption A statue of the Virgin Mary, broken in St Anthony's Shrine

Reports say seven people have been arrested in connection to the attacks, but it not yet clear who is responsible.

Sri Lanka's High Commissioner to the UK, Manisha Gunasekera, said the “magnitude and precision” of the attacks was “unprecedented”.

She added that authorities are “doing everything that they can to bring the perpetrators to justice”.

The Sri Lankan government said there would a temporary block on the use of major social media networks and a curfew imposed from 18:00 to 06:00 local time (12:30-00:30 GMT).

Local media report that security has been stepped up at the country's main Bandaranaike International Airport.

In the UK, police have said there is “no increased threat” and have offered support to any families directly affected by the attacks.

West Midlands Police's Assistant Chief Constable Sarah Boycott said: Officers will be engaging with key religious buildings today to reassure local people.

“We will continue to work closely together and unite against those who seek through violence to intimidate or cause fear.”

Prime Minister Theresa May said the killings were “truly appalling” and “no one should ever have to practise their faith in fear”.

Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said he was “deeply shocked and saddened” by the “horrifying attacks”.

He added: “To target those gathered for worship on Easter Sunday is particularly wicked.”

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn called for “unity, love and respect” to combat hatred.

He said: “I stand with the victims, their families, the people of Sri Lanka and Christians around the world. We must defeat this hatred with unity, love and respect.”