By — Associated Press Associated Press Leave a comment 0comments Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/4-americans-killed-in-sri-lanka-easter-bombings Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter 4 Americans killed in Sri Lanka Easter bombings World Apr 22, 2019 3:59 PM EDT COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — The U.S. State Department is confirming that at least four Americans were killed in a series of Easter Sunday bombings that rocked Sri Lanka. The department says that in addition to those killed, several others were seriously injured. It gave no details about the identities of the victims, citing privacy concerns. It extended condolences to friends and families of all victims and said it was continuing to provide support to Americans affected by the blasts. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said earlier that the Christian holiday had been “marred by a horrific wave of Islamic radical terror and bloodshed.” At least 290 people were killed in the series of nine bombings of churches and hotels in Sri Lanka. Sri Lankan authorities say at least 30 foreigners died in the attacks. Here’s a look at some of the countries whose citizens were among the victims: Sri Lanka The vast majority of the victims were believed to be Sri Lankan citizens, many of them members of the island nation’s Christian minority. Names of many victims and other details on their lives were slow to trickle in and difficult to report, in part because Sri Lankan authorities blocked most social media after the blasts. But among them was Dileep Roshan, 37, a carpenter who left behind a wife and daughter, his family told The Associated Press. “His wife and daughter won’t be able to do much now because he is gone,” his older brother, Sanjeevani Roshan, said. “The real question is what will happen to their future.” United States The State Department says at least four Americans were killed and several others seriously injured. It gave no details about the victims’ identities. Dieter Kowalski, who lived in Denver and worked for international education company Pearson, died in the blasts shortly after he arrived at his hotel for a business trip, the company and his family told AP . A Friday Facebook post reads “And the fun begins. Love these work trips. 24 hours of flying. See you soon Sri Lanka!” UK Sri Lanka’s top diplomat in Britain says authorities know of eight British nationals killed in the bombings. Among them were lawyer Anita Nicholson, son Alex Nicholson and daughter Annabel Nicholson, her husband, Ben Nicholson, confirmed in a statement. Nicholson said the family was on holiday, sitting at the table of the restaurant of the Shangri-la Hotel when they were killed. He said: “The holiday we had just enjoyed was a testament to Anita’s enjoyment of travel and providing a rich and colourful life for our family, and especially our children.” India Indian officials say eight Indians died in the attacks. Denmark The Bestseller clothing chain confirmed Danish media reports that three of the children of its owner, business tycoon Anders Holch Povlsen, were killed in the attacks. However, spokesman Jesper Stubkier gave no details in an emailed response to a query on the matter and said the company had no further comment. Spain Spain’s foreign ministry says a Spanish man and woman were killed but didn’t provide further details. The mayor of Pontecesures in northwest Spain, Juan Manuel Vidal, tells Radio Galega he knew the local pair and says they were in their 30s, according to a report by Spanish private news agency Europa Press. Australia Australia’s prime minister says two Australian citizens were killed. China Chinese state media say two of the country’s citizens died in the blasts. Switzerland The foreign ministry says two Swiss nationals, one of whom also had the citizenship of another country it didn’t name, died in the attacks. It said a third member of the family, who had two non-Swiss citizenships, also was killed. It didn’t identify the victims. Others The Netherlands, Japan and Portugal have also confirmed their nationals were among the dead. By — Associated Press Associated Press
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — The U.S. State Department is confirming that at least four Americans were killed in a series of Easter Sunday bombings that rocked Sri Lanka. The department says that in addition to those killed, several others were seriously injured. It gave no details about the identities of the victims, citing privacy concerns. It extended condolences to friends and families of all victims and said it was continuing to provide support to Americans affected by the blasts. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said earlier that the Christian holiday had been “marred by a horrific wave of Islamic radical terror and bloodshed.” At least 290 people were killed in the series of nine bombings of churches and hotels in Sri Lanka. Sri Lankan authorities say at least 30 foreigners died in the attacks. Here’s a look at some of the countries whose citizens were among the victims: Sri Lanka The vast majority of the victims were believed to be Sri Lankan citizens, many of them members of the island nation’s Christian minority. Names of many victims and other details on their lives were slow to trickle in and difficult to report, in part because Sri Lankan authorities blocked most social media after the blasts. But among them was Dileep Roshan, 37, a carpenter who left behind a wife and daughter, his family told The Associated Press. “His wife and daughter won’t be able to do much now because he is gone,” his older brother, Sanjeevani Roshan, said. “The real question is what will happen to their future.” United States The State Department says at least four Americans were killed and several others seriously injured. It gave no details about the victims’ identities. Dieter Kowalski, who lived in Denver and worked for international education company Pearson, died in the blasts shortly after he arrived at his hotel for a business trip, the company and his family told AP . A Friday Facebook post reads “And the fun begins. Love these work trips. 24 hours of flying. See you soon Sri Lanka!” UK Sri Lanka’s top diplomat in Britain says authorities know of eight British nationals killed in the bombings. Among them were lawyer Anita Nicholson, son Alex Nicholson and daughter Annabel Nicholson, her husband, Ben Nicholson, confirmed in a statement. Nicholson said the family was on holiday, sitting at the table of the restaurant of the Shangri-la Hotel when they were killed. He said: “The holiday we had just enjoyed was a testament to Anita’s enjoyment of travel and providing a rich and colourful life for our family, and especially our children.” India Indian officials say eight Indians died in the attacks. Denmark The Bestseller clothing chain confirmed Danish media reports that three of the children of its owner, business tycoon Anders Holch Povlsen, were killed in the attacks. However, spokesman Jesper Stubkier gave no details in an emailed response to a query on the matter and said the company had no further comment. Spain Spain’s foreign ministry says a Spanish man and woman were killed but didn’t provide further details. The mayor of Pontecesures in northwest Spain, Juan Manuel Vidal, tells Radio Galega he knew the local pair and says they were in their 30s, according to a report by Spanish private news agency Europa Press. Australia Australia’s prime minister says two Australian citizens were killed. China Chinese state media say two of the country’s citizens died in the blasts. Switzerland The foreign ministry says two Swiss nationals, one of whom also had the citizenship of another country it didn’t name, died in the attacks. It said a third member of the family, who had two non-Swiss citizenships, also was killed. It didn’t identify the victims. Others The Netherlands, Japan and Portugal have also confirmed their nationals were among the dead.