SRI LANKA. (THECOUNT) — Dieter Kowalski, of Denver, Colorado, has been identified as an American victim in a series of bombings in Sri Lanka Easter Sunday.
Kowalski, 40, was reportedly staying at the Cinnamon Grand Colombo when his hotel was one of three targeted by suicide bombers. The bombings killed at least 290 and injured 500.
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Sri Lanka’s defense minister said seven suspects were arrested Sunday following a series of eight bombings that targeted hotels and churches during Easter services throughout the country, killing over 200 people and wounding hundreds more in what he called a terror attack by religious extremists, reports TimesOfIsrael.
At least 200 people were killed and 500 others injured in a series of bomb blasts that hit three churches and three luxury hotels in Sri Lanka, according to local media reports.
Sri Lankan Defense Minister Ruwan Wijewardena described the attacks as a terrorist incident and blamed religious extremists.
Wijewardena did not release any additional information about the arrests of the seven suspects.
An explosion ripped through Sri Lanka St Anthony’s Shrine in the capital Colombo, causing casualties among worshippers.
A Sri Lanka security official said six near-simultaneous blasts hit the churches and hotels.
Eye-witnesses say buildings in the surrounding area shook with force of the blast and 50 people so far have reportedly been taken to Colombo’s main hospital.
A second explosion hit St Sebastian’s Church in Negombo, north of Colombo, report SkyNews.
Sky News’ Asia correspondent Tom Cheshire said: “It suggests a coordinated, targeted attack on Christians. It is very unusual for Sri Lanka.
“It’s very, very worrying as people are trying to celebrate Easter.”
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Geo quick facts: Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, is an island country in South Asia, located in the Indian Ocean to the southwest of the Bay of Bengal and to the southeast of the Arabian Sea – Wikipedia.
A Denver man has been confirmed as the first American victim of the Sri Lanka terror attacks.
“It is with great sadness and deep regret that as Dieter’s brother that I confirm that Dieter was among the victim’s that passed away in Sri Lanka,” his brother Derrick wrote on Facebook.
“As we know that Dieter saw his friends as family, we would like to share our grief over this tragic incident.”
He added, “We have all lost a brother today… RIP Dieter.”
Kowalski had posted on Facebook on Friday about flying to Sri Lanka’s capital Colombo on a work trip.
“And the fun begins,” he wrote. “Love these work trips. 24 hours of flying. See you soon Sri Lanka!”
Friends initially used it as pleas for help when he was missing, turning the comments into tributes after Derrick confirmed the tragic news.
“No words can explain how hard it is to digest this news, we were hoping to have a wonderful time with him and this happened,” Veranga Wijesinghe wrote. “May you rest in peace my dearest friend.”
Keith Smith wrote, “R.I.P. Dieter. You were a great friend and such a great person. You will be missed.”
Sri Lankan officials said that a total of 24 suspects had been arrested and blame a local terror group, National Thowfeek Jamaath, for the coordinated attacks.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Sunday that “several US citizens” were among those killed.