Kochi, Oct 29 (IVC ) One woman died and other 36 persons , including woman and children suffered injuries in the bomb explosion at the Kalamassery convention centre near here at 0930 hours today. The bomb explosion occurred immediately after half-an hour since the starting of the prayer meeting.
Police authorities said it was due to IED bombs which connected to a tiffin care that exploded and injured 36 persons besides killing a woman on the spot.The explosions occurred when a prayer meeting of Jehovah Witnesses were going on and it is estimated that over 2000 persons attended the prayer meeting.
Among the injured, one woman and two children were in a critical condition, the police said. Sixteen injured were admitted to the Kalamassery Medical College Hospital of which six are in the intensive care unit. Police sources said that at least three times explosions occurred though the eye-witnesses said this correspondent that they heard the sound of explosions for seven times.
The official sources said more than one bomb exploded at the convention centre. Twenty injured were admitted to the private nursing home at nearby Aluva police said.
The official sources said that it was not yet confirmed that the explosions were by the terrorists or accidental occurrence.
The Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan described the mishap as most unfortunate. NSG, INA and Anti-terrorist Squad have been deployed for the investigation in the incident, official sources said.
CPM party leaders said that it was a planned attack by the terrorists to divert the attention from the Palestine conflict as Kerala Government wholeheartedly supported the Palestine cause. Further details of the explosions were awaited.
