40 foreign nationals killed in blasts identified

The Foreign Ministry yesterday said that the number of foreign nationals who have been identified as killed in the Easter Sunday attacks rose to 40. 

The fatalities were one from Bangladesh, two from China, 11 from India, three from Denmark, one from Japan, one from the Netherlands, one from Portugal, two from Saudi Arabia, two from Spain, one from Switzerland, two from Turkey, six from the UK, one from USA, two holding US and UK nationalities, one holding Swiss and Dutch nationalities, one holding Dutch and Sri Lankan nationalities, and two holding Australian and Sri Lankan nationalities.

Remains of 16 foreign nationals have been repatriated to date.

Additionally, 14 foreign nationals are unaccounted for at present, and could be among the unidentified victims at the Colombo Judicial Medical Officer’s mortuary. 

Five foreign nationals injured in the attacks are receiving treatment at the Colombo South Teaching Hospital and private hospitals in Colombo while others have been discharged from hospital following treatment.

The Foreign Ministry continues to be in close contact with the relevant hospital authorities to identify the remaining victims. The Ministry will continue to monitor the welfare of the foreign nationals receiving treatment.

An emergency hotline to assist families of the affected foreign nationals is operational at +94 112323015.