Officials said that a series of explosions at a conference center in Kalamassery, Kerala, today resulted in at least one fatality and 36 injuries. Shortly after the commencement of the prayer service, at least three explosions were reported.
About ten kilometers from Kochi, in the center of Kalamassery, there was a Jehovah’s Witness convention when the tragedy happened. There were around 2,000 persons present at the prayer meeting.
The media was informed by those in attendance at the convention center that the first explosion happened during a prayer. According to officials, a tiffin box contained explosives inside of it.
According to Kalamassery MP Hibi Eden, the first explosion happened in the middle of the room. He said that as soon as the first explosion occurred, the group’s escape plan went into effect.
Fortunately, they had a plan for leaving. The group discusses and creates an escape strategy at each meeting. However, there was a stampede as a result of the heavy smoke.
Pinarayi Vijayan, the chief minister of Kerala, called the explosions “unfortunate” and stated that the situation is being taken seriously. The state’s top cops are all en route to the explosion scene.
The National Investigation Agency will now investigate the explosions. The forensic team from the agency has already arrived and is gathering evidence.
Images from the scene showed a huge number of police and fire rescue personnel evacuating individuals from the now-corralled spot.
Unsettling footage captured from within the convention center revealed numerous fires within the hall, with families and kids heard yelling in terror.
Along with chairs that were broken and strewn all over the hall, the footage also showed several people attempting to put out the fires.
Following the explosion, hundreds of people were spotted outside the convention center.
Following the explosion, Kerala Health Minister Veena George has ordered all medical personnel to report for duty.