Federal government appalled by suspected attacks in Sri Lanka

The Federal Government has deeply affected the alleged terrorist attacks on churches and hotels in Sri Lanka with more than one hundred dead. "Terrified by the news that Christians in Sri Lanka were attacked and killed during Easter fairs," Chancellor Angela Merkel's (CDU) spokesman Steffen Seibert wrote on Twitter this Sunday. "We mourn and pray for the wounded and families, and terrorism, religious hatred and intolerance must not win."

In three Catholic churches and three luxury hotels explosions had occurred within half an hour. At least 250 people were injured.

The Federal Foreign Office's crisis reaction center stated that the situation was still confusing at the moment. "The Embassy Colombo is working hard to find out if any Germans are affected, and if you're there, stay away from the places of attack, follow instructions from the authorities."

After explosions in churches and hotels in #srilanka the situation is confusing. The Embassy # Colombo strives hard to clarify whether Germans are affected. When you're there: Stay away from the places of attack. Follow instructions from the authorities. pic.twitter.com/fc5G1KcJCF

Foreign Minister Heiko Maas (SPD) was also "dismayed by the appalling attacks": "This vile act was apparently aimed specifically at people who devoted themselves to Easter Sunday in the churches to prayer and reflection, and against travelers." Nothing could justify the targeted murder of innocent people.

The Easter Minister wrote so much hate, wrote the Foreign Minister on Twitter. "Easter is a feast of love that teaches us: Hate on our part can never be the solution." According to Maas, the Federal Foreign Office has set up a crisis team. Concerned family members can call 030-50000.

Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan declared his country's solidarity with Sri Lanka in this hour of mourning.

Strongly condemned the horrific terrorist attack in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday. My profound condolences go to Sri Lankan. Pakistan stands in complete solidarity with Sri Lanka in their hour of grief.

Israel's president condemned the attacks as a "heinous crime". They would also have applied to those who prayed on Easter Sunday, wrote Reuven Rivlin on Twitter. "We are all children of God, an attack on a religion is an attack on all of us."

"I think of the people in Sri Lanka, who are crying like Mary at the tomb of Jesus," said the chairman of the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD), Heinrich Bedford-Strohm. Those who celebrate the resurrection of Jesus at Easter know about the abyss of suffering, said the Bavarian Bishop. "Even the worst kind of violence will not make us capitulate to hatred." Christ is risen and takes all the victims of hatred and violence into the new life. "