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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
World
Talia Shadwell

Sri Lanka attacks: Moment witnesses run for lives as van explodes outside church

This is the moment terrified witnesses fled in panic after a van exploded outside a Sri Lankan church targeted in yesterday's Easter massacre.

The van blew up outside St Anthony's shrine in the capital of Colombo - where scores died in the previous day's terror attacks.

Bomb disposal experts blew up the van after it was deemed to have a 'suspicious' object inside.

Footage shows people running for their lives after the van turned into a fireball.

Tensions are running high in Sri Lanka, where at least than 290 people were killed and about 500 wounded in the attacks on churches and hotels.

People flee in terror as a blast rocks streets near bombed St Anthony's shrine in Colombo (M A PUSHPA KUMARA/EPA-EFE/REX)

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In footage from nearby streets black and white ribbons signifying mourning can be seen fluttering overhead as panicked locals run away from the sound of the van blast.

It comes after Sri Lankan police today discovered 87 bomb detonators at the main bus station in the country's capital of Colombo.

Footage shows the blast that sent people streets away running in panic (Twitter)
The van had a 'suspicious' package inside (Twitter)

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Footage of the scene circulating online show a fiery blast sending debris rocketing down a street. 

Warnings had been circulated that there could be more bombs after the major attacks yesterday. 

Sri Lankans are terrified by the sound of another 'blast' the day after the massacre (M A PUSHPA KUMARA/EPA-EFE/REX)
People panic as the van blast is heard in the streets of Colombo the day after the deadly church blast (M A PUSHPA KUMARA/EPA-EFE/REX)


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There have been 24 people arrested so far. Police said the suspects detained following a raid are all Sri Lankan citizens.

The Sri Lankan Government has blamed local Jihadi group National Thowheed Jamath for the terror attacks.

The blast was heard when bomb squad officials were trying to defuse it, a witness told Reuters.

St Anthony's shrine in Colombo following yesterday's blast (AFP/Getty Images)

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"The van exploded when the bomb defusing unit of the STF (Special Task Force) and air force tried to diffuse the bomb," the witness said.

Security force officials were not immediately available for comment.

 
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