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

COLOMBO - Sri Lanka on Thursday revised the death toll from multiple terror attacks on Sunday to around 253 from 359, Sri Lanka's Health Ministry said on Thursday.

The statement said the death toll from Sunday's bombing attacks had been revised to between 250 to 253 and not 359 as earlier reported.

Due to the severity of the explosion and many body parts, there was a miscalculation, the health ministry said.

A string of suicide bombings exploded in hotels and churches across Sri Lanka on Sunday. The Sri Lankan police have so far taken more than 70 suspects in custody.

Islamic State (IS) claimed responsibility for the attacks.

Sri Lanka's Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesingh said Thursday that suspects linked to the coordinated Easter Sunday bomb attacks remain at large and could have access to explosives.

Some of the suspects "may go out for a suicide attack," Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said in an interview with The Associated Press.

Wickremesinghe spoke frankly about the greatest challenge the South Asian island nation has faced since its civil war ended a decade ago.

Xinhua/AP