In Pictures

In Pictures: Sri Lanka Easter Sunday bombings

A view of St. Sebastian''s Church damaged in blast in Negombo, north of Colombo, Sri Lanka, Sunday, April 21, 2019. More than hundred were killed and hundreds more hospitalized with injuries from eight — More than 500 people have been injured in the worst attack since the end of the civil war 10 years ago. [Chamila Karunarathne/AP Photo]

Near simultaneous explosions in at least three Sri Lankan churches and three luxury hotels have killed at least 290 people and wounded over 500.

Three of the explosions took place at Catholic churches, while three others were reported at the Cinnamon Grand, Kingsbury and Shangri-La hotels, located in the heart of the capital Colombo.

Officials said at least 45 people had been killed in Colombo.

Another 67 were killed in an attack on a church in Negombo north of the capital, with another 25 dead at a church in the town of Batticaloa, in the east of the country.

The nature of the blasts was not immediately clear and there were no immediate claims of responsibility.

Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena expressed shock at the explosions and appealed for calm.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe wrote on Twitter: “I strongly condemn the cowardly attacks on our people today.

“I call upon all Sri Lankans during this tragic time to remain united and strong. Please avoid propagating unverified reports and speculation. The government is taking immediate steps to contain this situation.”

A relative of a blast victim grieves outside a morgue in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Sunday, April 21, 2019. More than hundred were killed and hundreds more hospitalized with injuries from eight blasts that r — A relative of a blast victim grieves outside a morgue in Colombo. [Eranga Jayawardena/AP Photo]

Sri Lankan police officers clear the road as an ambulance drives through carrying injured of Church blasts in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Sunday, April 21, 2019. A Sri Lanka hospital spokesman says several bl — Sri Lankan police officers clear the road as an ambulance drives through carrying people injured in the blasts in Colombo. [Eranga Jayawardena/AP Photo]

Blood stains are seen on the wall and on a Jesus Christ statue at the St. Sebastian''s Church after blast in Negombo, north of Colombo, Sri Lanka, Sunday, April 21, 2019. More than two hundred people w — Blood stains are seen on a wall and on a Jesus Christ statue at the St. Sebastian's Church after blast in Negombo, north of Colombo. [AP Photo]

Relatives of victims react at a police mortuary, after bomb blasts ripped through churches and luxury hotels on Easter, in Colombo, Sri Lanka April 22, 2019. REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte — Nearly all victims were Sri Lankan. Dozens of foreigners were also killed. There were no claims of responsibility for the attacks. [Dinuka Liyanawatte/Reuters]

A shoe of a victim is seen in front of the St. Anthony''s Shrine, Kochchikade church after an explosion in Colombo, Sri Lanka April 21, 2019. REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte — A shoe belonging to a victim lies in front of St Anthony's Shrine in Kochchikade. [Dinuka Liyanawatte/Reuters]

Sri Lankan military officials stand guard in front of the St. Anthony''s Shrine, Kochchikade church after an explosion in Colombo, Sri Lanka April 21, 2019. REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte — Sri Lankan military officials stand guard in front of St Anthony's Shrine. [Dinuka Liyanawatte/Reuters]

An inside view of the St. Anthony''s Shrine after an explosion hit St Anthony''s Church in Kochchikade in Colombo, Sri Lanka on April 21, 2019. According to reports at least 129 people killed and over 2 — An inside view of St Anthony's Shrine after the explosion. [Chamila Karunarathne/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images]

Sri Lankan Army soldiers secure the area around St. Anthony''s Shrine after a blast in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Sunday, April 21, 2019. A Sri Lanka hospital spokesman says several blasts on Easter Sunday ha — Sri Lankan soldiers secure the area around St Anthony's Shrine after the blast. [Eranga Jayawardena/AP Photo]

An ambulance is seen outside the church premises with gathered security personnel following a blast at the St. Anthony''s Shrine in Kochchikade, Colombo on April 21, 2019. At least 42 people were kille — An ambulance and security personnel gather outside St Anthony's Shrine in Kochchikade, Colombo following the blast. [Ishara S. Kodikara/AFP]

Sri Lanka bombings — Security forces inspect St. Anthony's Shrine. Three of the explosions took place in Catholic churches, while three others were reported in the Cinnamon Grand, Kingsbury and Shangri-La hotels, located in the heart of Colombo. [Chamila Karunarathne/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images]

Sri Lankan elderly woman is helped near St. Anthony''s Shrine after a blast in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Sunday, April 21, 2019. Dozens of people were killed and hundreds wounded in near simultaneous blasts — An elderly Sri Lankan woman is helped near St Anthony's Shrine after the blast. [Eranga Jayawardena/AP Photo]

Police cordon off the area after a explosion hit at St Anthony''s Church in Kochchikade in Colombo, Sri Lanka, 21 April 2019. According to the news reports at least 25 people killed and over 200 injure — Police cordon off the area after an explosion hit St Anthony's Shrine in Kochchikade in Colombo. [MA Pushpa Kumara/EPA]

Sri Lankan firefighters stand in the area around St. Anthony''s Shrine after a blast in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Sunday, April 21, 2019. Witnesses are reporting two explosions have hit two churches in Sri L — Sri Lankan firefighters in the area around St Anthony's Shrine after the blast in Colombo. [Eranga Jayawardena/AP]

Security personal inspect the site after a explosion hit at St Anthony''s Church in Kochchikade in Colombo, Sri Lanka, 21 April 2019. According to the news reports at least 25 people killed and over 20 — Security personnel inspect the site after the explosion at St Anthony's Shrine in Kochchikade, Colombo. [MA Pushpa Kumara/EPA]