Trump tweets, then deletes, widely inflated Sri Lanka death toll

Monday, 22 April 2019 08:44

US President Donald Trump committed faux pas as he erroneously wrote that "138 million people" were killed in the Sri Lanka bombings.

In a Tweet, he expressed condolences to families of the victims of the Sri Lanka explosions - and grossly overstated the death toll.

He wrote: "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!"

Within minutes, he deleted the incorrect tweet and sent a new one with the corrected death toll.

More from International News

Intercepted missile debris damages kindergarten, clinic complex in Riyadh

Debris from a ballistic missile launched by the Houthi militia caused material damage to a kindergarten and a medical clinic complex in Riyadh after the missile was intercepted and destroyed, Saudi authorities said on Thursday.
Russian bomb kills 33 in street in east Ukraine stronghold

A Russian bomb attack on the eastern Ukrainian city of Kramatorsk killed at least 33 people, authorities said on Thursday, describing it as a targeted strike on civilians in the key stronghold sought by Moscow.
Canadian poet and writer Anne Carson wins 2026 Nobel Prize in Literature

Canadian poet and writer Anne Carson won the 2026 Nobel Prize in Literature "for her bold and inventive oeuvre that, in playful dialogue with the classical tradition, has created new forms for contemporary literature," the award-giving body said on Thursday.
One dead, two injured in Poland's second school attack in two days

A 15-year-old former student killed one person and injured two others at a Polish primary school on Thursday, police said, just a day after a 19-year-old wounded 10 people, including himself, in an attack at another school.
French school blockades persist after PM's unspecified promises

French teenagers blockaded some high schools and prepared to rally again on Thursday after the government promised to address their grievances about teacher shortages and dilapidated school buildings but gave no specific details.

On Virgin Radio today

The Night Show with Jacob Cummings
7:00pm - 10:00pm

End the day with Virgin Radio turned loud.
Fusion with Eddie
10:00pm - Midnight

Stay up late with a cutting edge look at world music.