Indian policeare interrogating a man who surrendered after a homemade bomb exploded in the middle of the Jehovah’s Witnesses Christian group worshipin Karala, Sunday, October 29 2023. As a result of the explosion, a female congregant was killed and dozens of others were injured.
After initial questioning, the Kochi city native, who surrendered in the southern state’s Thrissur district, will be questioned in detail by a senior police official, Asianet News reported.
The situation is under control and police and other agencies are investigating, Ernakulam District Collector NSK Umesh told Reuters . “The investigation is ongoing, and we are ensuring that everyone receives the best medical care.”
The incident occurred during a Jehovah’s Witnesses convention in Kalamassery, about 10 kilometers northeast of Kochi, and media said more than 2,000 people attended the three-day event.
Kerala Health Minister Veena George said one woman died at the scene while 52 others were hospitalized with injuries. Eighteen people remain in intensive care units, six of whom are in critical condition, including a 12-year-old girl.
Preliminary investigations suggest that an improvised explosive device was used, Kerala Director General of Police Shaik Darvesh Saheb told reporters earlier.
Local newspaper Mathrubhumi , citing witnesses, said at least three explosions occurred inside the convention hall.
When asked if it was a terror attack, Saheb said he could confirm the details “only after conducting an investigation”.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the incident was very unfortunate and the police were taking it very seriously.
The first explosion occurred in the center of the hall. Seconds later, two more explosions occurred simultaneously on both sides of the hall, a Jehovah’s Witnesses spokesman said.
Jehovah’s Witnesses are an international Christian denomination founded in the United States around 1870. They are known in many countries for their door-to-door evangelism. The group says it has about 60,000 followers in India.
Source : Tempo.co