Kerala: 1 woman killed, at least 3 dozen injured in explosion at Christian prayer meet in Kalamassery

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan told reporters in New Delhi that the occurrence was unfortunate and that an investigation was on. He said key police officials, including the state DGP, have already moved to Kochi, and efforts are underway to track down the perpetrators.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has spoken to Vijayan and taken stock of situation after the blast, sources told PTI. Shah is believed to have directed anti-terror agencies such as National Security Guards (NSG), and the National Investigative Agency (NIA) to send teams to Kerala to assist state government.

Kerala DGP Dr Shaik Darvesh Saheb was quoted as saying by agencies that “preliminary investigation shows it is an IED device and we are investigating it”.

State Industry Minister P Rajeev, who represents the area in the state Assembly, asked people not to panic and to refrain from spreading disinformation.

“Only after adequate police investigations can we draw any conclusions about those who carried out the blast,” he said.

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The incident

The incident occurred during a meeting of Jehovah’s Witnesses at the Zamra International Convention and Exhibition Centre in Kalamassery, when a huge number of faithful from around the state had come for a prayer session.

According to eyewitnesses, the explosions occurred in the heart of the convention centre. The first of the multiple explosions happened around 9.30 am, minutes after the day’s prayer session began.

“The blast occurred five minutes after the prayer session began. A succession of explosions erupted from the stage of the conference hall, which was packed with approximately 2,000 people. The three-day convention began on Friday and was scheduled to end on Sunday,” according to an eyewitness who spoke to local television stations.

The police and Fire Department personnel reached the scene within minutes, and began rescue operations.

Some 36 persons, including children, suffered injuries from the explosives and while trying to flee the convention.

According to a witness quoted by local TV, seven individuals, including a child, have been taken to the intensive care unit of a nearby hospital. Nine people, said to be in critical condition, have been transported to Sunrise Hospital in Kakkanad, a nearby area.

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Hospitals on alert

Meanwhile, Health Minister Veena George has directed that all government doctors in central Kerala on leave return to work as soon as possible.

To deal with the emergency, Kalamassery Government Medical College, Ernakulam General Hospital, and Kottayam Government Medical College have been put on alert.

To treat the patients, burn surgeons from Kottayam Government Medical College would travel to Kalamassery Medical College.

Minister Rajeev said that all medical assistance and facilities are available at the Kalamassery Medical College and that injured patients can be moved to other hospitals if necessary.

Terror angle

Though authorities have not confirmed it, sources believe they are investigating a terror link. According to sources South First reached out to, the state anti-terrorist team will arrive at the crime scene soon.

The Kochi Unit of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has already begun gathering information about the incident.

Images of the incident on television showed a large number of firefighters and police officers rescuing people from the scene.

Hundreds of people were observed outside the convention centre after the blast.

(With inputs from PTI)