2 Dead In Serial Blasts At Prayer Meeting In Kerala

Two women were killed and 45 people were injured in a series of blasts at a convention centre in Kerala’s Kalamassery today, sending shockwaves across the country. At least three blasts were reported within minutes after the prayer meeting started.

The incident took place during a Jehovah’s Witnesses convention at the centre in Kalamassery, about 10 kilometres from Kochi. Hours after the blasts, a 48-year-old man claimed responsibility and has surrendered. The suspect, Dominic Martin, has claimed that he belongs to the same Christian denomination that organised the prayer meet.

The meet today was attended by nearly 2,000 people. People who were present at the convention centre told the media that the first blast occurred in the middle of a prayer. Officials said explosives had been placed inside a tiffin box.

Kalamassery MP Hibi Eden said that the first explosion occurred in the centre of the hall. He added that the group had an evacuation plan which kicked into action immediately after the first blast.

“Luckily, they had an evacuation plan. Every time the group meets, they discuss and prepare an evacuation plan. But there was a lot of smoke, which led to a stampede,” Mr Eden told NDTV.

Police said 45 injured persons were undergoing treatment in various hospitals in the district, of which 18 people are in the ICU. Five people injured in the blast are in a critical condition.