Pakistan: 24 killed, over 50 injured in Quetta explosion near railway track

At least 24 people were killed after a powerful explosion took place near a railway track in Pakistan’s Balochistan province on Sunday, officials said. The blast happened close to the Chaman Phatak railway station in Quetta and caused panic in the area. Rescue teams and security personnel rushed to the spot soon after the explosion.

Train, vehicles damaged in explosion 

According to police, a train suffered partial damage due to the blast. Around 10 vehicles parked nearby were also damaged. The force of the explosion was so strong that windows and glass panels of nearby buildings were shattered, local media reports said.

Following the incident, authorities declared an emergency in government hospitals across Quetta. Doctors and medical staff were called in to handle the injured people being brought for treatment. Officials said several of the injured were shifted to hospitals immediately after rescue operations began.

Jaffar Express stopped as precaution 

Railway authorities said the Peshawar-bound Jaffar Express was stopped at Quetta Railway Station after the blast as a safety measure. Security agencies have also been placed on high alert across the city. Babar Yousafzai, spokesperson for the home minister, appealed to people not to gather near the blast area so that rescue and emergency teams could work without difficulty.