BOMB BRITS NAMED
Sri Lanka bombing victims named as Brit firefighter hero of IRA attack on Manchester and his wife
ONE of the British victims of the Sri Lanka terror attack was a hero firefighter who risked his life during the 1996 IRA Manchester bombing.
Bill Harrop, 56, and his wife Sally both died during the shocking bombings on Easter Sunday.
12
12
12
Remarkably their son Gavin - who was also in Sri Lanka at the time - survived the blasts which targeted churches and hotels on the island, reports the .
Tragically, more than 290 people were killed, and at least 500 were injured yesterday. Officials have confirmed that eight Brits are among the dead.
WHAT WE KNOW SO FAR:
- At least 290 people killed and 500 injured after seven suicide bombers attacked three churches, four hotels and a block of flats in Colombo
- Eight Brits, 'several' Americans, one Dutch, one Chinese, two Turkish, three Danes and one Portuguese national have been confirmed dead
- Social media ban in place to prevent spread of misinformation, and night curfew imposed
- 24 terrorists arrested, says defence minister Ruwan Wijewardene
- Sri Lankan government names local Islamic terror group National Thowheeth Jama'ath as being responsible for the attacks
- Government official says terror group was helped by an “international network” of Jihadis
- A US official told CNN said that the sick Jihadi attackers were inspired by ISIS
- It comes ten days after Sri Lanka's police chief issued alert on possible attacks to come
- A six-foot pipe bomb was intercepted and destroyed by the Air Force on the way to Colombo International Airport
It is believed Mr Harrop had recently emigrated to Australia with his family after retiring and was on holiday in Sri Lanka at the time of the bombings.
ON HOLIDAY IN SRI LANKA
He was well known and highly respected following his dedicated work in the Greater Manchester area.
Colleagues today said he was a "real character" and one said the force is "shocked and saddened" to hear of his death.
The brave firefighter was officially commended for his heroism during the IRA bombing in 1996, which injured 212 people in Manchester.
Mr Harrop was a station manager at the time and his colleagues were one of the first crews on the scene.
Both Mr Harrop and his team desperately searched for a second device and tended to the injured following the bomb which at the time was the biggest to explode on British soil.
The couple’s friend Dave Keelan, who is assistant county fire officer with Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, said described their deaths as "devastating news".
Gary Keary, Fire Brigade Union brigade secretary, today paid tribute to the hero firefighter and his wife.
He said: "The FBU is shocked and saddened to hear of the loss of former firefighter Billy Harrop and his wife in the tragic events in Sri Lanka.
"The FBU sends its deepest condolences to his family and friends."
The FBU is shocked and saddened to hear of the loss of former firefighter Billy Harrop and his wife in the tragic events in Sri Lanka
Kev Brown, former Fire Brigades Union secretary
Kev Brown, former Fire Brigades Union secretary, added: "Billy was a former pupil of Sale Grammar School, was well known in the brigade, and was a real character.
";He led the Philips Park team in response to the IRA bomb in Manchester 1996 and received a commendation for his actions in the incident."
Seven suicide bombers destroyed churches and luxury hotels across the island during the Easter Sunday atrocities.
It comes as a British dad who "wandered alone" through Colombo morgues as he tried to find his wife and children today revealed they died instantly without suffering.
Ben Nicholson confirmed "perfect wife" Anita, son Alex, 14, and daughter Annabel, 11, were all killed in the horror bombing attacks.
The blood-soaked lawyer had earlier walked the streets of the capital and tragically searched hospitals for any sign of his family after they were caught up in the terror attack.
ASOS BOSS LOSES THREE KIDS
He said in a statement: "Following reports in the media over the past 36 hours, my family and I wish to confirm that my wife Anita, our son Alex, 14, and our daughter Annabel, 11, were killed in the bombing of the restaurant of the Shangri-la Hotel, Colombo on Sunday morning while sitting at our table.
"Mercifully, all three of them died instantly and with no pain or suffering.
"I am deeply distressed at the loss of my wife and children. Anita was a wonderful, perfect wife and a brilliant, loving and inspirational mother to our two wonderful children.
Meanwhile, three children of billionaire ASOS boss Anders Holch Povlsen were killed by "ISIS-inspired" suicide bombers.
A spokesperson for Povlsen - Scotland's largest landowner - confirmed that three of his four children were among the 290 people killed.
12
12
12
12
12
12
12
12
12
Moment 'Sri Lankan suicide bomber walks into church with his device in backpack' seconds before detonating it killing dozens
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at [email protected] or call 0207 782 4368. You can WhatsApp us on 07810 791 502. We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours.