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posted by martyb on Sunday April 21 2019, @12:48PM   Printer-friendly
from the RIP dept.

According the Beeb (BBC):

At least 137 people have been killed and hundreds more injured in explosions at churches and hotels in Sri Lanka, police and hospital sources say.

At least eight blasts were reported. Three churches in Negombo, Batticaloa and Colombo's Kochchikade district were targeted during Easter services.

The Shangri-La, Kingsbury, Cinnamon Grand and a fourth hotel, all in Colombo, were also hit.

A curfew has been imposed from 18:00 to 06:00 local time (12:30-00:30 GMT).

The government also said there would a temporary block on the use of major social media networks.

No group has yet said it was responsible for the attacks.

Update:"At least 207 people have been killed and 450 hurt in explosions at churches and hotels in Sri Lanka, police say."


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  • (Score: 2, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday April 21 2019, @02:43PM (13 children)

    by Anonymous Coward on Sunday April 21 2019, @02:43PM (#832953)

    Indian media named two of the arrested suspects. [news18.com]

    Apr 21, 2019 12:05 pm (IST)
    Two of the six attacks that rocked Sri Lanka this morning are reportedly to be have been carried out by suicide bombers. The attack at Shangri La hotel was carried out by suicide bomber Zahran Hashim, while Abu Mohammad has been identified as the attacker at the Batticalao church.

    There's a social media blackout in Sri Lanka because false allegations and fake news could have deadly consequences. As I made clear, the circumstances suggested Islamic extremism.

    Starting Score:    0  points
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  • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday April 21 2019, @02:46PM

    by Anonymous Coward on Sunday April 21 2019, @02:46PM (#832955)

    Or as I made clear in a comment below [soylentnews.org] anyway.

  • (Score: 1) by khallow on Sunday April 21 2019, @04:51PM (10 children)

    by khallow (3766) Subscriber Badge on Sunday April 21 2019, @04:51PM (#833000) Journal

    There's a social media blackout in Sri Lanka because false allegations and fake news could have deadly consequences.

    Only if people are more likely to act (in a deadly consequences way) on them than they are the other false allegations and fake news that they'd normally act on.

    • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday April 21 2019, @05:06PM (9 children)

      by Anonymous Coward on Sunday April 21 2019, @05:06PM (#833019)

      You know Sri Lankan Muslims are under threat from both Hindu Tamils and Buddhist Nationalists? [theguardian.com] Azuma is unavailable for comment.

      • (Score: 1) by khallow on Sunday April 21 2019, @05:10PM (5 children)

        by khallow (3766) Subscriber Badge on Sunday April 21 2019, @05:10PM (#833023) Journal
        And? How does banning social media remove that threat?
        • (Score: 2, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday April 21 2019, @05:17PM (2 children)

          by Anonymous Coward on Sunday April 21 2019, @05:17PM (#833027)

          It doesn't remove the threat, it prevents organization of violent mobs based on mere speculation. Also why there's a curfew in place and it's justifiable in a country where tensions are still high following a prolonged civil war.

          • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday April 21 2019, @07:24PM (1 child)

            by Anonymous Coward on Sunday April 21 2019, @07:24PM (#833082)

            Yes, it makes you long for the days before social media, when no violent mobs could ever form.

            • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday April 21 2019, @07:52PM

              by Anonymous Coward on Sunday April 21 2019, @07:52PM (#833093)

              Well that's why there's a curfew but you can't reasonably deny social media has given a greater reach to everyone, including those intending harm.

        • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday April 21 2019, @11:27PM

          by Anonymous Coward on Sunday April 21 2019, @11:27PM (#833176)

          khallow, you need to review your "Men in Black" flashy-thingy protocols.

        • (Score: 2) by janrinok on Monday April 22 2019, @07:54AM

          by janrinok (52) Subscriber Badge on Monday April 22 2019, @07:54AM (#833298) Journal

          It significantly reduces the spread of false news and hate propaganda, and that reduces the chance of mob incitement against a group of people who are being blamed for something for which there is no evidence. You punish only those who are guilty, not those who have the same religion, dress similarly, live in the same area or any other loose connection with anyone who is suspected of being involved.

          The have been numerous murderers and arsonists in every western nation too, but we don't go around blaming everyone in the same country or practicing the same religion for the crimes perpetrated by a few.

      • (Score: -1, Troll) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday April 23 2019, @02:36AM (2 children)

        by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday April 23 2019, @02:36AM (#833680)

        Muslims bomb churches to kill Christians on Easter and you are worried that muslims are under threat from retaliation? Really? Seriously? How about they NOT kill others.

        If people in the middle east put down their weapons tomorrow..

        • (Score: 1, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday April 23 2019, @07:34AM (1 child)

          by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday April 23 2019, @07:34AM (#833753)

          Death to you, you fucking Hindu! I spit upon your gods! And your testes. Wow, that is an enormously erect Shiva Lingnam. Do you mind?

          • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday May 01 2019, @10:12AM

            by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday May 01 2019, @10:12AM (#837155)

            Dude, I am anti religion but thank you for the thought.
            When they cut off your balls and stick you in a dress for your new husband do not cry out for my help*. Sleep in the bed you make for yourself.

            * A penalty for males that refuse to support the masculinity of men for social order is to turn them into women

  • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday April 22 2019, @12:42AM

    by Anonymous Coward on Monday April 22 2019, @12:42AM (#833209)

    Actually given the history of Sri Lanka, it's more like Communist Terrorism. The Muslim angle it's just what they are using I guess.