An improvised explosive device was found and neutralised near Bandaranaike International Airport in Sri Lanka, News 1st reported, citing a representative of the country's air force. According to the spokesperson, additional security forces were sent to the airport after reports of a suspicious item lying on a nearby road.
The incident took place amid a curfew announced in Sri Lanka after the deadly bombings that hit several churches and hotels across the country, killing 215 and injuring 450 more, including foreigners.
Authorities have so far reportedly detained 13 people over the tragedy, with Indian TV channel News 18 allegedly revealing the names of some of them. The media outlet wrote that one of the suspected suicide bombers had checked into the Cinnamon Grand hotel in Colombo under the name Mohamed Azzam Mohamed, while two other suspected suicide bombers, who reportedly carried out the attacks on the Shangri La hotel and a church in Batticaloa, have been identified as Zahran Hashim and Abu Mohammed.
READ MORE: Investigators to Probe ‘Overseas Links' as 8 Arrested Over Sri Lanka Blasts — PM
Meanwhile, some social media services and messengers are temporarily banned by the authorities as a result of the bombings, all state universities are closed, and train services have been suspended for the whole night.
Commenting on the tragedy, the country's Junior Defence Minister Ruwan Wijewardene called it a terrorist attack, vowing to prosecute the perpetrators "regardless of their religious beliefs".
LIVE UPDATES: Blasts at Sri Lanka Churches & Hotels Kill 215, Wound 450 (PHOTOS)
