Qatar joins the world in condemning the horrific explosions that rocked the Sri Lankan capital, Colombo, earlier this morning, with the latest taking place a few minutes ago. 

سمو أمير البلاد المفدى يبعث ببرقية إلى رئيس جمهورية سريلانكا الديمقراطية الاشتراكية، ضمنها خالص تعازيه ومواساته في ضحايا التفجيرات التي استهدفت كنائس وفنادق في سريلانكا، متمنياً سموه الشفاء العاجل للمصابين، ومعربا عن إدانته الشديدة لهذه الجريمة البشعة.#قنا pic.twitter.com/b14PO382sV

— وكالة الأنباء القطرية (@QatarNewsAgency) April 21, 2019

A total of eight explosions are said to have struck luxury hotels and churches in the Asian country, resulting in more than 150 casualties and over 400 injured people as the Christian community marked Easter Sunday today, according to Al Jazeera.

Qatar has reiterated its firm stance on rejecting terrorism, extremism, regardless of motives and reasons.

دولة قطر تعرب عن إدانتها بأشد العبارات للتفجيرات التي استهدفت كنائس وفنادق في سريلانكا وأدت إلى سقوط عشرات الضحايا والجرحى ، وعبرت وزارة الخارجية عن رفض دولة قطر التام استهداف دور العبادة وترويع الآمنين ، وجددت موقفها الثابت من رفض العنف والإرهاب مهما كانت الدوافع والأسباب.#قنا pic.twitter.com/U6EEPCY5g7

— وكالة الأنباء القطرية (@QatarNewsAgency) April 21, 2019

Three explosions happened at Catholic churches while the other three were reported in luxury hotels: the Cinnamon Grand, Kingsbury and Shangri-La, located at the heart of Colombo city.

A recent explosion has been reported near the Tropical Inn hotel, near Dehiwala Zoo.

Two people reportedly died in a seventh explosion near the Tropical Inn hotel, not far from Dehiwala Zoo. #QNA

— Qatar News Agency (@QNAEnglish) April 21, 2019

The first explosion took place in a church in the capital, followed by other blasts within the next 30 minutes.

The targeted churches included: St Anthony’s Shrine, St Sebastian’s, 30km from the capital and another one in Batticaloa, 250km east of the capital.

Al Jazeera also reports that at least 35 foreigners are said to have lost their lives in the deadly attacks.  

The Sri Lankan government has blocked access to major social media channels and messaging services and declared a curfew with immediate effect.

Sri Lanka government shuts down access to major social media and messaging services. It has also declared a curfew with immediate effect https://t.co/VDB5FhNAj6 pic.twitter.com/ZiRXTlxJn7

— The Independent (@Independent) April 21, 2019

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Cover Image Credit: Al Jazeera