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Kochi: A series of three explosions triggered by an improvised explosive device (IED) during a Jehovah’s Witnesses religious convention in Kalamassery on Sunday morning, 29 October, has resulted in at least one fatality and 23 injuries, and leaving five of the injured in critical condition. The number of injured is likely to go up.

The blasts occured at about 9:45 am, with over 2,400 attendees, including women and children, present at the convention. The explosions coincided with the start of a religious hymn during the prayer service.

Home Minister Amit Shah was quick to dial Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan. While the Home Ministry is taking stock of the situatiin, NIA team and forensic experts have rushed to the explosion spot.

The identity of the deceased victim remains unconfirmed, while the critically injured have been rushed to government and private hospitals. As a response, the Kerala police have issued a high alert across all 14 State districts in the wake of the Kochi explosions.