Colombo, Sri Lanka, Apr 22, 2019 / 07:03 am
Police in Sri Lanka have detonated a suspicious package near St. Anthony's church in Colombo on Easter Monday.
Local media reported scenes of panic and confusion April 22, as crowds fled the area after what has been described as a "small explosion." Local police later confirmed the blast was the controlled destruction of a suspect item found in a nearby van.
The controlled detonation was carried out but local authorities at approximately 3:30pm local time Monday afternoon. It took place in the immediate area of St. Anthony's Catholic church and national shrine, which was at the center of the Easter Sunday terrorist attacks.
Small explosion outside St Anthony's church right now. People fleeing the scene pic.twitter.com/GjadgTwoZ5
- michael safi (@safimichael) April 22, 2019