Kerala blast: Death toll touches 3 after 12-year-old girl dies of burn injuries; NSG grills accused

A 12-year-old girl, who sustained severe burn injuries in the blast at the Jehovah's Witnesses prayer meet in Kochi, passed away early hours of Monday, taking the death toll to three. The deceased, identified as Libina from Malayattoor in Ernakulam district, had suffered severe burns covering 95 per cent of her body.

Though she was rushed to the Kalamassery Government Medical College Hospital immediately after the blast, her body had stopped responding to the treatment. Despite receiving ventilator support, her condition continued to deteriorate, leading to her death at 12.40 a.m., a statement issued by the hospital's medical board said.

Two women, who were part of the gathering, had died on Sunday. They have been identified as 55-year-old Leona Paulose and 53-year-old Kumari.

Over 50 individuals were injured in the multiple blasts at the international convention centre in Kalamassery where the followers from the minority Christian group, Jehovah's Witnesses, had gathered for the final day of a three-day-long prayer meeting. 

Meanwhile, the National Security Guard (NSG) continues to question the accused, identified as Dominic Martin, on whether he was alone in plotting the crime. 

Martin, who has been booked under Sections 302 (murder) and 307 (attempt to murder) of the IPC as well as provisions of the Explosives Act and the anti-terror law Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), reportedly confessed to the police that he kept the explosive device in six plastic covers across the hall. He denied earlier reports that the IEDs were kept in tiffin boxes, reported Manorama News.

Martin added that the plastic bags were filled with petrol and had a battery and a trigger (an improvised firecracker), which he operated remotely. The accused said he had procured the firecrackers from a local shop in the suburbs of the Ernakulam district. He also demonstrated to the police the way he operated the remote-controlled explosive.

The National Security Guard (NSG) officials is currently at the Kalamassery Police camp and had earlier visited the convention centre where the blast occurred.