Eyewitness: ‘We saw boats explode’

Tamil Tiger rebels have carried out a suicide attack on a naval base in the southern Sri Lankan tourist city of Galle. Eyewitnesses to the attack and the chaotic aftermath describe what they saw.

When we heard the first blast, we didn’t know what it was. We immediately ran to get a view of the harbour.

We saw a few boats come into the harbour and explode. The boats we saw were high-speed boats and their explosions were sudden, unexpected and terrifying. There was a massive noise and window panes and other glass shattered.