KOCHI, India – Indian police are questioning a man who surrendered after at least one homemade bomb exploded on Sunday at a convention centre in Kerala state where a Christian group was holding a prayer meeting, killing a woman and wounding dozens of others.

After initial questioning, the native of Kochi, who surrendered in the southern state’s Thrissur district, will be interrogated in detail by a senior police official, Asianet News reported, citing sources.

The situation was under control and the police and other agencies are investigating it, said Ernakulam District Collector N. S. K. Umesh.

“Investigation is taking its course, and we are ensuring that everyone is getting the best medical treatment,” he said.

The incident took place during a Jehovah’s Witnesses convention at the centre in Kalamassery, about 10km north-east of Kochi, and local media said more than 2,000 people turned up at the three-day event.

Kerala’s Health Minister Veena George said a woman died at the scene, while 52 others were hospitalised with injuries. Eighteen remained in intensive care, six of them in critical condition, including a 12-year-old girl.

Preliminary investigation showed that an improvised explosive device was used, Kerala Director-General of Police Shaik Darvesh Saheb told reporters earlier.

Local newspaper Mathrubhumi, citing witnesses, said at least three explosions occurred inside the convention hall.

Asked if it was a terror attack, Mr Saheb said he could confirm the details “only after investigating”.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the incident was very unfortunate and that the police have taken it very seriously.

The police were appointing a special investigation team, said Mr Saheb, adding that strict action would be taken against those involved in the incident.

An eight-member team from the National Security Guard, the Indian government’s counterterrorism unit, was on its way to Kerala to investigate as well.

“The explosions occurred seconds after the end of a prayer as part of the day’s event. The first blast took place in the middle of the hall. Seconds later, two more explosions rocked simultaneously on either sides of the hall,” Jehovah’s Witnessesregional spokesperson T. A. Sreekumar told Mathrubhumi.com.

Jehovah’s Witnesses is an international Christian denomination that was founded in the United States around 1870. They are best known in many countries for door-to-door evangelism.

Jehovah’s Witnesses says it has about 60,000 followers in India. REUTERS