The death toll from the blasts that took place during a Jehovah’s Witnesses convention at the centre in Kalamassery near Kochi rose to five, the Kerala government said on Sunday.
The victim, identified as 45-year-old Sally Pradeepan from Malayattoor in Ernakulam district of the state, died at a private hospital on Saturday night, a government health bulletin said. The woman was on ventilator support, reports PTI.
At least 17 people who were injured during the blasts, that took place on October 29, are undergoing treatment in various hospitals in Kochi, the bulletin by a medical board constituted to treat those who were wounded in the incident said. Of them eight are in ICU with one in critical condition and the remaining nine in wards.
The blasts were set off at a religious gathering of a Christian sect known as Jehovah’s Witnesses. Over 50 people were injured, some seriously, during the multiple blasts at the international convention centre, where the faithfuls had gathered for a three-day long prayer meet.
A 12-year-old girl named Libina from Malayattoor had succumbed to her injuries on October 30 at the Kalamassery Government Medical College Hospital, and two women who were part of the gathering were killed on the day of the blasts.
Later, on October 6, Moly Joy, 61, from Kalamassery died at a private hospital.
Hours after the blast, a man named Dominic Martin, who claimed to be estranged member of Jehovah’s Witnesses surrendered before the police in Thrissur district, claiming he carried out the multiple blasts. The police later recorded his arrest.
He has been booked under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) (punishment for murder) and Section 3 of the Explosive Substances Act, relevant sections of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA).
