‘Opened my eyes to see fire, smoke...': Eyewitnesses recall Kerala serial blast horror

livemint.com:

fire and smoke in the hall. It took place in the middle of the hall near where the console was placed. I was just five rows behind," Hindustan Times quoted Michael as saying, who was dressed in a purple shirt and black cotton pants, as he recalled an incident outside the Zamra International Convention and Exhibition Centre in Kalamassery.

ALSO READ: Kerala blasts: Who is Dominic Martin, the man who claimed to have detonated bombs at prayer meet? “Just two seconds later, there was a second blast and more fire and smoke. Without panicking and creating chaos, we slowly made our way to the exit doors. We are always given specific instructions from the organizers at these meetings on what to do during a fire or explosion.

So, we followed their instructions and got out," he added. Soon after the explosion, Michael packed his family including his wife and two children in an autorickshaw while he waited to take out his private vehicle, the report added. He even added that many could not take out their vehicles as police secured the premises of the convention center after the explosion.

Meanwhile, several eyewitnesses claim they heard multiple explosions in the convention center. Quoting a person present at the convention center, India Today reported, "The blast took place in the center of the hall. I heard three noises from the blast.

I was at the backside. There was a lot of smoke. I heard a woman has died." A similar statement was made by another person who was seated on the front side of the hall.

He said, as quoted by IT, "There are six entry and exit points in the hall. I was seated in the front. Suddenly, an explosion took place.