Five Chinese still missing after Sri Lanka bombings as tourists return home
- Embassy officials have contacted family of a Chinese national who was killed in the blasts on Easter Sunday, and visited five who were injured
- Four of the missing were travelling to the Indian Ocean on a study trip
Five Chinese nationals remain missing following a series of suicide bombings in hotels and churches in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday that claimed the life of one Chinese and injured five more.
At least 290 people were killed and more than 500 others injured in the blasts, according to a Sri Lankan government official on Monday, who said a local militant group was behind the attacks.
The Chinese embassy in Colombo had contacted the family of the person who was killed and was awaiting police confirmation on the fate of the five still missing, state-run People’s Daily reported.
Earlier reports said two Chinese nationals had died but the embassy on Monday revised down the number to one, according to Xinhua.
Two Chinese nationals sustained serious injuries in the blasts and three others minor ones. Embassy officials had visited them several times in hospital, People’s Daily said.
“The embassy will closely monitor the situation, urge Sri Lankan police to confirm the whereabouts of the missing persons and assist Chinese citizens and families to properly handle the aftermath,” the embassy was quoted as saying.