External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said on Sunday that she is in touch with the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka’s Colombo where multiple explosions at churches and hotels were reported.
“I am in constant touch with Indian High Commissioner in Colombo. We are keeping a close watch on the situation,” she said following reports of at least 6 explosions at three churches and two five-star hotels.
Colombo – I am in constant touch with Indian High Commissioner in Colombo. We are keeping a close watch on the situation. @IndiainSL
— Chowkidar Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) April 21, 2019
The Indian High Commission released emergency numbers for Indian citizens in need of assistance.
“Explosions have been reported in Colombo and Batticaloa today. We are closely monitoring the situation. Indian citizens in need of assistance or help and for seeking clarification may call the following numbers: +94777903082 +94112422788 +94112422789,” the High Commission tweeted.
The High Commission also shared two more numbers: +94777902082 +94772234176.
Explosions have been reported in Colombo and Batticaloa today. We are closely monitoring the situation. Indian citizens in need of assistance or help and for seeking clarification may call the following numbers : +94777903082 +94112422788 +94112422789
— India in Sri Lanka (@IndiainSL) April 21, 2019
In addition to the numbers given below, Indian citizens in need of assistance or help and for seeking clarification may also call the following numbers +94777902082 +94772234176
— India in Sri Lanka (@IndiainSL) April 21, 2019
Colombo was hit by multiple explosions on Sunday. AFP reports that 42 people may have been killed. Reports say that foreign tourists were among the dead.
Hundreds of others were injured in the blast and taken for treatment to hospitals.
The blasts took place at the St. Anthony’s Church in Kochchikade in Colombo, the St. Sebastian’s Church in Katuwapitiya in Katana and a third in Batticaloa. At the time of the explosions, Christian faithful were praying at the churches on the occasion of Easter.
The hotels which were hit by explosions are the Shangri-La Hotel and Cinnamon Grand Hotel. Police say that the Kingsbury Hotel in the capital, too, was hit.
Unconfirmed reports suggest that two more explosions have taken place at Town Hall Red Cross building and Viharamadevi Park.
Read More: Multiple explosions rock Sri Lanka; churches, five-star hotels hit in Colombo
Police have cordoned off all the sites where the explosions took place. No one has yet taken responsibility and it is not clear what triggered the explosions.
Sri Lankan security officials said they were checking for details. The military has been called in to guard the churches and the hotels.