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Death toll in Kerala blasts reaches 4; accused Dominic Martin sent to 10 days police custody

The latest victim was identified as Moly Joy, 61. She was on ventilator support

Dominic Martin being brought to a hospital for medical check-up after he was presented to the Principal Sessions Court in Kochi on November 6 | ANI

The death toll in the Kalamassery convention hall blasts that occurred at a Christian religious gathering near Kochi last week has touched four.

The latest victim is a 61-year-old woman who was on ventilator support. She succumbed to her injuries.

The victim, identified as Moly Joy from Kalamassery, had suffered over 70 per cent burns in the explosion that occurred at Zamra convention hall in Kerala's Kalamassery area on October 29. She died at a private hospital in the early hours of Monday, according to a hospital representative.

On October 30, a 12-year-old girl named Libina from Ernakulam district's Malayattoor died at the Kalamassery Government Medical College Hospital. Two other victims, both women, who attended the meeting were killed on the day of the incident.

More than 50 people were injured in the multiple blasts at the Kalamassery convention centre, where over 2,000 had gathered for a three-day prayer meeting held by the Jehovah's Witnesses.

A few hours after the blasts, Dominic Martin who claimed to be an estranged member of Jehovah's Witnesses surrendered at Thrissur district's Kodakara police station after claiming responsibility for the explosions.

On Monday, a court sent the lone accused in the case to 10 days police custody. The police told the court that they need to probe Martin's source of income and foreign links as well as take him to collect evidence.

The accused has rejected the assistance of a legal aid lawyer. He has been charged with IPC Section 302 (murder), Explosive Substances Act Section 3 and Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA).