Three massive explosions occurred in Ernakulam district of the Indian state of Kerala. In this blast, 2 people have died and 56 people have been injured. The blasts took place at a Sunday prayer conference of the Jehovah’s Witnesses sect at Kalamassery in Ernakulam. Hospitalization has been arranged for the injured. These blasts are suspected to be a terrorist attack. More fire units and police personnel reached the blast site.
Kerala Industries Minister P Rajeev said, according to media reports, the blast site was cordoned off and fire rescue teams and police were pressed into service. According to reports, the blasts occurred while a Jehovah’s Witness conference was going on. A distress call was made by authorities at 9 a.m. (local time). Speaking to regional Indian channels, Assistant Commissioner ACP Thrikkakara said one person was killed and 20 to 25 were injured in the blasts that occurred within 5-10 seconds.
Meanwhile, Home Minister Amit Shah has talked to Kerala CM on the issue of Kerala blasts. NSG’s NBDS team will also go to Kerala. The administration has asked hospitals to be fully prepared. An eyewitness said, ‘The explosion occurred in the middle of the hall. I heard three sounds of explosion. I was at the back. There was a lot of smoke there. I heard that a woman has also died.
A 4-member team of NIA is going to the incident site. Along with the NIA team that left from Kochi branch office, the local police will also go to the incident site and investigate. Today was the last day of the three-day program organized at the convention center. How did the explosion happen? The hall where the blast took place has a capacity of 2 thousand people and at the time of the blast, 100-150 more people were present here. No statement has yet been issued by the police regarding the blast.
A police officer said that the explosion occurred around 9 am and a call was received seeking police assistance. Some videos have surfaced after the incident in which rescue and relief workers and police personnel are taking the injured out of the incident site. A large crowd gathered outside the convention center after the explosion.
After the Kerala blasts, Delhi has been put on alert and instructions have been given to increase security around churches. The Delhi Police’s Special Cell maintains continuous communication with intelligence agencies and treats all incoming information with utmost seriousness. They are actively implementing security measures in densely populated areas, as stated by the Delhi Police.
