According to recent reports, the Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the bomb blasts in Sri Lanka across churches and high-end hotels on Sunday, that killed nearly 321 people and injured over 500 of them. The deadly blasts also ended up destroying three churches and three five-star hotels as the nation was offering prayers for Easter.

According to the Intelligence Group of the news agency ‘Amaq’ that keeps track of jihadist activities, ISIS said in a statement, “Those who carried out the attack that targeted members of the US-led coalition and Christians in Sri Lanka the day before yesterday are Islamic State group fighters.” The multiple blasts were carried out by seven suicide bombers. Meanwhile, 40 people suspected of involvement in the blasts have been taken into custody.

The blasts happened around 8.45 am when Easter Sunday masses were progressing in the churches, according to police spokesperson Ruwan Gunasekera. St Anthony’s Church located in Colombo, St Sebastian’s Church situated in the western coastal town of Negombo and a church in Batticaloa were apparently the ones attacked.