A powerful explosion near a railway line in Pakistan’s Quetta city triggered a major tragedy after a passenger train travelling toward Quetta Cantonment derailed close to Chaman Phatak, leaving at least 16 people dead and dozens injured.
The blast caused widespread panic as several coaches jumped off the tracks, with fire and dense smoke rapidly spreading across the accident site. Rescue teams rushed to the area as survivors cried for help amid mangled train compartments and scattered debris.
Explosion Sparks Major Railway Disaster
According to initial reports, the explosion occurred moments before the train approached the Chaman Phatak section of the railway route. The impact was so severe that multiple carriages overturned and railway infrastructure suffered extensive damage.
Visuals from the scene circulating online showed damaged coaches lying beside the tracks while flames continued to burn near the wreckage. Thick black smoke could be seen rising high into the sky as emergency responders attempted to control the fire and evacuate passengers.
Officials said nearly 30 people sustained injuries, several of them critically, raising fears that the death toll could increase further.
Rescue Operations Continue Through Night
Security personnel and rescue workers quickly sealed off the area and launched evacuation operations. Ambulances transported the injured to nearby hospitals while railway authorities began efforts to clear the damaged track.
Authorities have not yet released the final casualty figures, and search teams continued operations late into the evening amid concerns that more passengers could be trapped inside damaged compartments.
Balochistan Rail Network Faces Repeated Attacks
The latest incident has once again highlighted growing security concerns in Pakistan’s Balochistan province, where railway lines and passenger trains have repeatedly come under attack over the years.
Separatist groups active in the region have frequently targeted transport infrastructure, including tracks, stations and trains. Previous attacks on railway services, including the Jaffar Express route, had also raised alarm over passenger safety in the province.
Although no organisation immediately claimed responsibility for the latest explosion, investigators are examining possible links to insurgent activity due to the nature and location of the attack.
Security agencies have launched a probe into the incident while railway officials assess the extent of damage caused to the track and surrounding infrastructure.
