AIRPORT BOMB
Colombo International Airport in Sri Lanka put on lockdown as six-foot pipe bomb found by air force after blasts kill 290
SRI Lanka's Colombo International Airport was put on lockdown after a six-foot pipe bomb was discovered on-site.
It comes after a devastating series of Easter Sunday terror killed 290 - including five Brits - and injured 450 more.
5
5
5
5
5
It comes after nearly 500 were injured when suicide bomb blasts ripped through buildings in Colombo - where tourists were eating breakfast and Christian worshippers had gathered for morning mass.
A spokesman for the Sri Lankan Air Force claims a massive PVC pipe packed with explosives was "discovered on the way to Colombo International and defused by the Air Force".
London student Nisanga Mayadume and her TV chef mum Shantha Mayadume were this afternoon confirmed to be among 35 tourists killed in the atrocity.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has confirmed 'several' Americans were also killed- along with victims from the Netherlands, Portugal and China.
Ms Mayadume posted a heartbreaking photo of the family having breakfast at the Shangi-La Hotel just moments before the deadly explosion.
The University of London graduate, believed to be in her 30s, captioned the Facebook update from just ten hours ago with "Easter breakfast with family", under which hundreds of people have commented "RIP".
Three churches and three hotels - the luxury Shangri-La Hotel, Cinnamon Grand and The Kingsbury Colombo - were targeted in the devastating attacks.
WHAT WE KNOW SO FAR:
- At least 207 people killed and 450 injured after suicide bomb blasts at three churches, four hotels and a block of flats in Colombo, Sri Lanka
- Five Brits, 'several' Americans, one Dutch, one Chinese, two Turkish and one Portuguese national have been confirmed dead
- Theresa May brands attack "truly appalling" as world leaders express sorrow
- Social media ban in place to prevent spread of misinformation, and night curfew imposed
- Thirteen terrorists arrested, says defence minister Ruwan Wijewardene
- It comes ten days after Sri Lanka's police chief issued alert on possible attacks to come
Earlier today airport officials told passengers they would be able to fly despite the curfew.
SriLankan Airlines added that travellers on outbound flights can access the airport by showing their tickets and passports at checkpoints.
They also revealed security had been tightened following the attacks, and advised passengers to arrive four hours before departure time.
A manager at the Cinnamon Grand said the attacker there set off the explosion when the restaurant was full, after queuing for the breakfast buffet.
The terrorist checked in under a false address and name - Mohamed Azzam Mohamed - saying he was in Colombo on business, and was just about to be served when he set off the explosives strapped to his back.
The manager said: "There was utter chaos. It was 8.30am and it was busy. It was families.
"He came up to the top of the queue and set off the blast. One of our managers who was welcoming guests was among those killed instantly."
Harrowing footage taken immediately after one of the blasts in a church is full of chilling screams, as stunned and panicked people react to the horror.
Attacked on Easter Sunday as thousands came to celebrate at church:
Father Edmond Tillekeratne told of the horrors he saw at St Sebastian's Church after an attack there.
He there were about 30 bodies lying in the church, and the ground was covered in rubble and shattered glass.
He said: "You can see pieces of flesh thrown all over the walls and on the sanctuary and even outside of the church."
The priest said the blast happened after Easter Mass, where he estimated more than 1,000 people had come to celebrate.
A terrified British family told how they were caught up in the atrocity as their hotel became a target for the terror.
Julian Emmanuel and his family, from Surrey, were staying at the Cinnamon Grand when the bomb went off.
MOST READ IN NEWS
He told the BBC: "We were in our room and heard a large explosion. It woke us up. There were ambulances, fire crews, police sirens.
"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."
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at [email protected] or call 0207 782 4368. You can WhatsApp us on 07810 791 502. We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours.