Deadly Quetta railway blast kills at least 16 as passengers travelled home for Eid
By Sardar Burhan :
At least 16 people were killed and several others injured after a powerful explosion struck near a railway track in the Chaman Phatak area of Quetta on Sunday, according to police and rescue officials.
The blast took place as a passenger train was passing through the area, with many travellers reportedly heading to their hometowns ahead of the Eid holidays. Authorities said women and children were among the injured as panic spread through the crowded area following the explosion.
Rescue teams and ambulances rushed to the scene soon after the blast, while the injured and bodies of the victims were shifted to Civil Hospital Quetta for treatment and identification.
Police officials said the force of the explosion also damaged several vehicles parked close to the railway track and shattered windows of nearby buildings. Witnesses described scenes of chaos as passengers and residents attempted to help the wounded before emergency teams arrived.
Law enforcement agencies quickly sealed off the blast site and launched an investigation into the nature of the explosion. Bomb disposal squads and security personnel were deployed in the surrounding area to collect evidence and ensure no further threat remained.
Railway authorities temporarily suspended movement in the affected section while security clearance operations continued. Officials said the incident raised fresh concerns over passenger safety on railway routes in Balochistan, particularly during periods of increased travel ahead of national holidays.
No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack. However, Balochistan has witnessed repeated attacks targeting transport infrastructure, security personnel and civilians over recent years, prompting heightened security measures around key public facilities.
The latest incident comes at a time when large numbers of people are travelling across the country for Eid ul Adha holidays, leading authorities to place hospitals and emergency services on high alert.
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