Deadly Blasts Rock Kerala Convention Hall, Leaving One Dead And Dozens Injured

During a meeting of Jehovah's Witnesses in Kochi, Kerala, a series of blasts occurred at a hall in Kalamassery.

Tragically, one person lost their life and approximately two dozen individuals sustained critical injuries.

The explosions — said to be four in number as reported by the New Indian's Rohan Dua — took place around 9.30 am near the meeting's stage during a prayer session.

A witness reported that the explosion occurred five minutes into the prayer session at the convention hall, where approximately 2,000 people were present.

The convention, which started on Friday (27 October) and was scheduled to end on Sunday (29 October), was disrupted by a series of blasts from the stage.

In response, the police have sealed off the hall and initiated an investigation.

Dua reported that the blasts rocked Kerala "where Jews live in Kalamassery."

Only a day earlier, former Hamas chief Khaled Meshaal had made a virtual address to a pro-Palestine rally in Malappuram.

Meshaal took part virtually in a rally organised by the Solidarity Youth Movement, the youth wing of Jamaat-e-Islami.

In response, Kerala Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president K Surendran had said on X: "Hamas leader Khaled Mashel's virtual address at the Solidarity event in Malappuram is alarming. Where's Pinarayi Vijayan's Kerala Police ? Under the guise of 'Save Palestine,' they're glorifying Hamas, a terrorist organization, and its leaders as 'warriors.' This is unacceptable!"