Published Dec 07, 2023 | 8:59 PM ⚊ Updated Dec 07, 2023 | 9:00 PM
The convention centre where the blasts occurred in Kochi. (Supplied)
The death toll from the series of blasts at a gathering of the followers of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Kalamassery near Kochi in Kerala in October has risen to eight, government sources said on Thursday, 7 December.
Thodupuzha native Lilly K John (76) died at a private hospital in Kochi on Thursday, authorities at the hospital, where she was being treated, said.
“She was admitted to the ward in the hospital and died in the evening,” a medical bulletin said.
Three persons, who suffered injuries during the blast, are still under treatment in another hospital — two in the ICU and one in a ward, the bulletin added.
Malayatoor resident Praveen (24) died on 16 November at a private hospital where he was being treated, the sources said.
Praveen’s mother, Sally Pradeep (45), who suffered serious wounds in the blasts, had died on 11 November, while his younger sister Libina had succumbed to injuries on 30 October, a day after the blasts occurred.
Libina (12) passed away on 30 October at the Kalamassery Government Medical College Hospital, and two women — Leona Paulose (55), a resident of Iringol in Perumbavur, and Kumari (52), a resident of Kaliyar in Thodupuzha — who were part of the gathering lost their lives on the day of the blasts.
Subsequently, 61-year-old Moly Joy from Kalamassery died at a private hospital on 6 November.
During the multiple blasts at the international convention centre in Kalamassery, over 50 people were injured, some seriously.
A few hours after the incident, a man — Dominic Martin — said to be an estranged member of Jehovah’s Witnesses, surrendered before the police in Thrissur district, claiming he carried out the multiple blasts. The police later recorded his arrest.
In addition to Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) (punishment for murder) and Section 3 of the Explosive Substances Act, relevant sections of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) have also been invoked against Martin.
Several cases were also registered following the blast against spreading hatred via social media in connection with the blast.
Cases were registered against Union Minister Rajeev Chandrashekhar, BJP leader Anil Antony, right-wing vlogger Lasitha Palakkal and others.
(With PTI inputs)
