Two Jewish siblings have been named as victims of the deadly series of suicide bombings that tore across Sri Lanka this past Sunday, killing 359 people and wounding 500 others.
Read: Islamic State Claims Responsibility for Easter Sunday Massacres in Sri Lanka
The siblings, 12-year-old Emily and 18-year-old Daniel Lindsey are both dual UK-US nationals and were among the 40 foreign citizens who died in Sunday’s massacre. The brother and sis were members of Britain’s Westminister Synagogue, according to the UK Jewish News.
Teenagers Daniel and Amelie Linsey were members of Westminster synagogue, and were among the eight Brits killed during the Easter Sunday atrocity https://t.co/2BQL3EUJEh
— Jewish News (@JewishNewsUK)
The siblings were eulogized Wednesday in the British Parliament during a tribute to the eight UK nationals who were killed in the Sri Lanka terror attacks, according to a report Wednesday by Jewish News.
“While the intended target of this atrocity were clearly meant to be Christian, the terrorists’ bombs did not discriminate,” said British legislator Howard Leigh, also president of the Westminister Synagogue of London, who spoke in the House of Lords.
“The Lindsey family were members of my synagogue. They shared the same classes as my children. Emily celebrated her bat mitzvah last March, reading with poise, maturity and warmth from our Torah scrolls.
“Daniel was especially interested in Jewish festivals. He came to our synagogue before Purim . . . to help our staff setting up for the evening festivities. We have pledged as a community to offer our love and support to the Lindsey family and do everything we can every step of the way.
“The Jewish community is used to counseling mourners who have been affected by terrorists’ bombs, and this is another chapter in this sad and sorry book.”
He added a request that the UK government “double its efforts to ensure that the bodies of the siblings are returned as soon as possible. The families are trying to make progress and would be very grateful for any assistance she can provide through the civil service, to ensure that happens as quickly as possible, as required by the Jewish faith,” Leigh said.
Matt Lindsey, father of the teens and also a dual UK-U.S. citizen, was with his children in the capital city of Colombo during the attacks. The three were caught in the bombing at their hotel, he said.
The bodies of the two teens are still in Sri Lanka. Arrangements are being made to bring them back to the United Kingdom for burial.
At least 60 people have been detained for questioning across the Sri Lanka capital city of Colombo, with an unspecified number of others detained in western Sri Lanka.
Authorities now say there were nine “well-educated Islamist suicide bombers, including a woman, from well-to-do families” who carried out the Easter Sunday massacre, according to Reuters, which quoted Sri Lanka’s junior defense minister, Ruwan Wijewardene.
“Most of the bombers are well-educated, come from economically strong families,” he said. “Some of them went abroad for studies.” Two of the bombers were brothers, sons of a wealthy spice trader.
The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigations and the military are also supporting the investigation into possible foreign connections, according to U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Alaina Teplitz.