Kerala Bomb Blast News: Explosions Rock Kerala Prayer Gathering
In India, a somber cloud of tragedy has cast a shadow over the southern state of Kerala. An investigation of the highest order is underway after a series of explosions rocked the region, claiming the lives of three individuals and leaving more than 50 others injured.
These devastating Kerala Bomb Blast occurred during a gathering organized by the Jehovah’s Witnesses, a Christian-based religious movement, on a fateful Sunday. The event was intended to be a time of spiritual reflection and connection.
In a startling turn of events, a man was taken into custody after he posted a video in which he claimed responsibility for the attacks. He subsequently surrendered to the authorities. However, law enforcement agencies are treading cautiously, working diligently to confirm the veracity of his confession.
Kerala police’s Public Relations Officer, Pramod Kumar, shared, “He is in our custody, but we have not officially arrested him yet. We are still in the process of verifying the authenticity of his statement, and this will take some time.”
The tragic incident unfolded during a prayer session organized by the Jehovah’s Witnesses in Kalamassery town, where over 2,000 followers had gathered for a three-day event of spiritual significance.
Two individuals tragically lost their lives on that Sunday, and the heart-wrenching news came the following morning that a 12-year-old girl, who had suffered severe burns covering 95% of her body, succumbed to her injuries.
A preliminary investigation by senior police official Shaik Darvesh Saheb suggests that an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) concealed within a tiffin box might have been responsible for the devastating blasts.
In the aftermath of the incident, a man named Dominic Martin came forward and claimed responsibility for the attack. The 48-year-old had shared his confession in a Facebook video, though the video has since been removed. He willingly surrendered himself at a nearby police station, providing a troubling motive for his actions. Martin asserted that he was a registered member of the religious group and was driven to commit the act due to his displeasure with their perceived “anti-national” teachings.
However, TA Sreekumar, a regional spokesperson for the Jehovah’s Witnesses, disputed this claim, stating that they were unaware if Martin had even been present at the event.
As the community grapples with this tragedy, Kerala Health Minister Veena George shared that 17 people had been admitted to various hospitals, with 12 of them in intensive care. She expressed her concern, saying, “Four are critically ill, three of them are on ventilators. Those who are critically ill have burns covering 50-60% of their bodies.”
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan strongly condemned the incident and announced the formation of a 20-member investigative team led by the assistant director general of police. Additionally, he declared plans for an all-party meeting on Monday to discuss the way forward in light of this heartrending incident.
Meanwhile, in response to these disturbing events, security measures have been heightened in India’s capital, Delhi, and other cities, including Mumbai. The nation unites in solidarity, grappling with the aftermath of this devastating tragedy.