Tragedy struck during a religious gathering at a convention center in Kerala, India, as an explosion left one person dead and dozens injured. The incident took place during a Jehovah’s Witnesses convention, a Christian denomination that was founded in the United States in the 1870s, known for their door-to-door evangelism.
Preliminary investigations by the Kerala police have revealed that an improvised explosive device was used in the attack. 36 people sustained injuries in the explosion. Among the injured, more than ten people suffered serious burns and were in critical condition, according to State Transport Minister Antony Raju.
The Jehovah’s Witnesses were hosting a three-day zonal convention at the Kalamassery convention center, located about 10 kilometers northeast of Kochi. This event had attracted over 2,000 attendees, as reported by local media.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan expressed deep regret over the incident and assured that the police were taking it very seriously. A special investigation team has been appointed by the police to probe the matter, and strict actions are promised against those involved in the explosion.
In response to the incident, an eight-member team from the National Security Guard, India’s counterterrorism unit, has been dispatched to Kerala to assist in the investigation.
Kerala’s health minister, Veena George, has instructed the health and medical education departments to provide high-quality treatment to the injured individuals.
According to TA Sreekumar, the regional spokesperson for the Jehovah’s Witnesses, the explosion occurred just seconds after the conclusion of a prayer during the day’s event. The initial blast took place in the middle of the hall, followed by two more simultaneous explosions on either side of the hall.
Jehovah’s Witnesses are an international Christian denomination founded in the United States around 1870. They are well-known for their door-to-door evangelism in various countries.
The incident remains under investigation, and authorities are working diligently to uncover the circumstances surrounding the tragic explosion.