Deadly Explosion Derails Cargo Train In Quetta
At least 24 people were killed, and over 50 were wounded after a massive explosion derailed a cargo train near the Chaman Phatak area in Quetta, southwest Pakistan, on Sunday.
Footage shows intensive security deployment at the impact site as rescue teams recover bodies and clear debris. Charred vehicles and damaged houses are visible as ambulances and Civil Defence teams search through the wreckage.
“People had lost their lives, while fires were still burning in several places. When I saw my own house, it was damaged. The entire house was badly damaged, children were screaming, and fear and panic had spread everywhere. In that situation, we could not understand what to do,” shared a local resident.
Authorities Describe Incident As Terror Attack
The Pakistani News Agency reported that passengers on the train, which also included military personnel, were travelling home for Eid.
The shuttle train heading from Quetta military barracks was hit by an explosion near Chaman Phatak Station, according to railway authorities, adding that the blast “caused the locomotive and three coaches to derail, while two of the coaches overturned.”
Federal Minister for Railways Muhammad Hanif Abbasi condemned the blast, calling the suspected attack ‘a cowardly act of terrorism’ that will not weaken the nation’s resolve to counter extremism.
Investigation Ordered After Deadly Blast
Abbasi also stated that “hostile elements are engaged in malicious activities to spread fear and unrest across Pakistan.”
The Minister has instructed the pertinent authorities to ‘submit an immediate report on the incident,’ while reaffirming that Pakistan Railways’ operations ‘would continue without interruption despite the attack.’
No party has claimed responsibility for the incident at the time of publication.
