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Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan has called the blast incidents in the state that took place at the convention centre of a Christian group in Kochi on Sunday a 'horrific tragedy'.
While speaking to the media here, Khan said on Sunday that the way this blast has been used to disturb the congregation is absolutely condemnable. "This is a horrific tragedy...These things are absolutely unacceptable in a rule-of-law society, in a democracy...The way this blast has been used to disturb the congregation is absolutely condemnable..." he said. "I am sure that the law and order enforcement agencies will act in a manner so that there is no repetition of this kind of incidents in the future..." the Governor added. Multiple explosions took place at a prayer meeting of Jehovah's Witnesses in the Kalamassery area of Kochi at around 9:00 am and have claimed at least two lives so far. Earlier in the evening, the Public Relations Department of Kerala said that one more woman succumbed to her injuries, taking the toll to two in the blasts. "Kumari, a native of Thodupuzha in Idukki, who had taken part in the convention, passed away after suffering more than 90 per cent burns from the blast," it said. Kerala Health Minister Veena George has said that a 14-member medical board is monitoring the entire situation following the blasts. "We have constituted a 14-member medical board that is monitoring the entire situation. We have 18 patients currently in the ICU," she said. She further informed that a 12-year-old girl is still in critical condition with 95 per cent burn injury. "A total of six people are critically ill. Every possible treatment and support is being provided," she added. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, while addressing the press conference, termed the incident "very unfortunate". "What happened in Kalamassery is very unfortunate. Currently, 41 people are hospitalised, 27 people admitted in Ernakulam Medical College...4 people discharged. 2 people have died, and 5 are critical. A special team led by ADGP Law and Order will be investigating this incident...20 members will be on the investigating team. An all-party-meeting has been called for tomorrow," he said. (ANI)
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