A blast at the convention center in Kochi killed three and injured 41 worshippers at the Jehovah’s Witnesses convention in Kerala’s Kalamassery

A member of the religious group, who claimed to be disillusioned with its “anti-national messaging”, confessed to the crime and has been booked under UAPA; police probing whether he worked alone

At least two successive explosions ripped through a crowded Jehovah’s Witnesses prayer convention at Kalamassery in Ernakulam on October 29 morning, killing three people and injuring 41 other worshippers.

The police identified one of the deceased as 53-year-old Kumari from Thodupuzha. The other victim remained unidentified. In the early hours of Monday, a 12-year-old girl from Malayattoor, who was hospitalised with 90% burn injuries, succumbed, taking the death toll in the blast to three.

The police have detained Kochi resident Dominic Martin, a “disenchanted” member of the religious group, as a suspect in the case. They have booked him under the provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, paving the way for a possible National Investigation Agency probe.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan indicated that the death toll might climb, given the severe nature of burn and shrapnel injuries sustained by five attendees. He said 17 of the injured were in intensive care units.

The police said the incident took place at a prayer meeting of Jehovah's Witnesses. Sunday was the last day of the three-day meeting, which started on October 27, and around 2,500 people were attending the prayer meeting.

Here's what we know so far:

• People who were present at the convention center said that the first blast occurred in the middle of a prayer, around 9:30 a.m.

• Sources said there were three blasts, and that the second and third occurred minutes after the first one.

• The Kerala police department later said that an IED device was used for the explosion. The DGP said that a preliminary investigation suggested that the device might have been placed inside a tiffin box. The police also appealed to people to not engage in any kind of "social media campaign".

• A Kalamassery police official said the cause of the blasts is not confirmed.

• Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan has termed the incident as 'unfortunate'.

• Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to Vijayan and took stock of the situation.

• Shah also directed anti-terror agencies NSG, and NIA to send teams to Kerala to assist the state government.

• Reports also state that the NIA will conduct a probe into the matter.

• Kerala health minister Veena George has urged the government healthcare professionals to report for duty in the wake of the incident.

• State industries minister P Rajeev said the site has been cordoned off and police and rescue teams have been pressed into service.

• As per reports, a few of the injured people have suffered serious burns.

• Ernakulam district collector said among the 36 people injured in the blasts, 10 are in the burn’s unit of Kalamassery Medical College.

• Officials said there were around 2,500 people inside the hall when the incident occurred.