Donald Trump makes catastrophic gaffe in tweet mourning Sri Lanka’s dead
Donald Trump has made an enormous error in a tweet mourning those killed by what appear to have been a series of terror attacks in Sri Lanka.
The US President inflated the death toll by around a million times its original figure in the latest offensive blunder to come from the White House.
Latest reports at lunchtime suggest 189 people were killed in a string of "wicked" bombings on churches and hotels on Easter Sunday.
But the US President claimed the death toll was "at least 138million", which is more than six times the population of the entire country.
The figure a million times the earlier estimates of the death toll.
He tweeted: "Heartfelt condolences from the people of the United States to the people of Sri Lanka on the horrible terrorist attacks on churches and hotels that have killed at least 138 million people and badly injured 600 more.
"We stand ready to help!"
Trump later deleted the tweet, but posted another 16 minutes after the original tweet saying he had "never been happier or more content".
The US President wrote: "Happy Easter! I have never been happier or more content because your Country is doing so well, with an Economy that is the talk of the World and may be stronger than it has ever been before. Have a great day!"
Eventually, more than half an hour after his original gaffe, the President corrected it.
He tweeted: "138 people have been killed in Sri Lanka, with more that 600 badly injured, in a terrorist attack on churches and hotels. The United States offers heartfelt condolences to the great people of Sri Lanka. We stand ready to help!"
It came after three churches and three five star hotels in Sri Lanka were hit by bombings on Easter Sunday, killing a reported 189 people by 11am GMT and injuring hundreds more.
The church blasts reportedly went off at almost the same time during Easter services in and around the island nation's capital Colombo.
Two further explosions were later reported in suburbs of Colombo, with two killed in one in Dehiwala.
At least 35 foreigners, including Brits, are among those killed, according to the AFP news agency.
UK Prime Minister Theresa May branded the attacks "truly appalling", while Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt called them "wicked" and Home Secretary Sajid Javid branded them "barbaric".
The Foreign Office was urgently seeking information from local authorities this morning, including to clarify how many Brits were among those killed.
Mrs May said: "The acts of violence against churches and hotels in Sri Lanka are truly appalling, and my deepest sympathies go out to all of those affected at this tragic time.
"We must stand together to make sure that no one should ever have to practise their faith in fear."
Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said: "I’m deeply shocked and saddened by the horrifying attacks on churches and hotels in Sri Lanka today.
"To target those gathered for worship on Easter Sunday is particularly wicked.
"My prayers are with the victims and their families, and with those assisting in the response.”
UK Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said: "I’m appalled by the horrific attacks in Sri Lanka, on Easter Sunday, the most important day in the Christian calendar.
"I stand with the victims, their families, the people of Sri Lanka and Christians around the world. We must defeat this hatred with unity, love and respect."
A Foreign Office spokeswoman said earlier today: "We are aware of reports of a number of explosions in Sri Lanka, including Colombo, and we are urgently seeking information from the local authorities.
"British nationals in Sri Lanka should follow the instructions of the local authorities and check FCO travel advice for updates.”
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