Sri Lanka revises death toll to 253 from 359: health ministry

4 more Chinese feared dead in Colombo bombings: Chinese ambassador

COLOMBO - Four more Chinese citizens were feared dead in the multiple bombing attacks in Sri Lanka, Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Cheng Xueyuan said here on Wednesday.

Till now there are one Chinese citizen confirmed to be killed in the attacks, four feared dead, one still missing, and five injured, the Chinese ambassador told the Chinese media in his latest briefing.

Among the five injured Chinese citizens, four have been released from hospital, with one still undergoing treatment, he added.

The ambassador has met with Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe to be updated with the latest development of the terrorist attacks and the casualties, and asked the Sri Lankan side to take great efforts to search, rescue and treat the Chinese victims, and properly handle the aftermath of the disaster.

The Chinese embassy has been trying all means to help the Chinese victims, working with the Sri Lankan side to search for the missing one, giving the injured proper medical treatment, and assisting the family of the deceased to take care of the rest, Cheng said.

Rescue operations underway

Both Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe have condemned the attacks and appealed for calm.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said the tri-forces and the police are conducting a thorough probe into the explosions.

In a special statement, the police urged the public to stay indoors and not gather at the explosion sites which had been sealed off.

Meanwhile, massive rescue operations are underway at the explosion sites, the police said.

Television footage showed ambulances rushing the injured to the Colombo National Hospital, the Batticaloa Hospital in the east and the Negombo Hospital on the outskirts of the capital where the explosions took place.

Reuters/Xinhua/AP