Kochi: A devastating explosion shook the Samra Convention Center in Kalamassery during a prayer session at the Regional Convention of Jehovah's Witnesses, leaving the nation in shock for a day. The incident saw a series of three explosions occurring just seconds apart, claiming the lives of three individuals and causing injuries to 51 others.

Initially suspected to be an organized terrorist attack, the police later confirmed that the perpetrator behind the blasts was Martin Dominic, a 57-year-old member of the Jehovah's Witnesses, who executed the explosions within his residence on the convention center premises. Martin, a tenant in Tammanam, Kochi, subsequently surrendered at the Kodakara station in Thrissur, taking responsibility for the blast in a video shared on social media. Authorities recovered the remote control device used for the explosions at his residence, leading to the filing of a case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (U.A.P.A).

Among the tragic death, Leona Paulus (55) from Perumbavoor Iringol Vatolipadi Pullian House succumbed to her injuries on the spot, with her death officially confirmed at 1 o'clock in the night. The second victim, Kulathi Kumari (52) from Thodupuzha Vannapuram, suffered severe burns and did not survive her injuries. Tragically, the third victim was a 12-year-old girl named Libina, residing in Malayatur Kaduvankuzhi House, who was placed on a ventilator and lost her life around 1.30 am.

Man Surrenders, Claims Responsibility for Kerala Prayer Meet Blasts