{"id":4448,"date":"2026-05-24T10:54:14","date_gmt":"2026-05-24T10:54:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.worldwatchalert.com\/?p=4448"},"modified":"2026-05-24T10:54:17","modified_gmt":"2026-05-24T10:54:17","slug":"quetta-shuttle-train-blast-claims-at-least-14-lives-says-balochistan-govt","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.worldwatchalert.com\/?p=4448","title":{"rendered":"Quetta shuttle train blast claims at least 14 lives, says Balochistan govt"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

QUETTA: At least 14 people were killed and several others injured after a powerful blast ripped through a shuttle train in Quetta on Sunday morning, according to the Balochistan government.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

State-run APP, citing railway authorities, reported that the shuttle train was travelling from Quetta Cantonment to the railway station when it was targeted near Chaman Phatak shortly after 8am.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a statement, Chief Minister\u2019s aide on media and political affairs Shahid Rind confirmed that the death toll had risen to 14. He said the victims included three personnel of the Frontier Corps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rind added that multiple people, including women and children, sustained injuries in the explosion and were shifted to hospitals for treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTerrorists targeted innocent civilians,\u201d he said, adding that security forces had cordoned off the area. He described the attack on a public place as proof of the terrorists\u2019 \u201cconfusion\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The exact nature of the explosion could not immediately be determined, while officials feared the casualty count could rise further.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Police, Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) officials, and bomb disposal squad personnel reached the site to collect evidence and begin investigations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pakistan Railways stated that rescue trucks and a relief train were dispatched to the area to support emergency and rescue operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to APP, the explosion derailed three coaches, including the locomotive, while two coaches overturned due to the impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The blast was heard across several parts of Quetta and also damaged nearby buildings. A fire that erupted in nearby vehicles was brought under control after efforts by multiple fire brigade teams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Images from the scene showed mangled train coaches lying on their sides as rescuers and civilians searched for survivors. Blood-soaked victims were carried away on stretchers while heavily armed security personnel guarded the area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One video circulating online showed around 10 vehicles, mostly small cars, completely charred as flames and thick black smoke rose from the site. Other footage showed ambulances rushing to the scene amid the chaos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Earlier visuals from the area showed huge plumes of smoke and at least one overturned train coach near the blast site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A medical emergency was declared in Quetta hospitals, with all doctors, paramedical staff, and medical personnel called in for duty, according to a statement shared by the provincial government on X.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti was personally monitoring the situation, officials said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe involved elements cannot escape the law,\u201d Rind stated, adding that the injured were being provided with the best possible treatment facilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eyewitness Mohammad Rahim, who was near the site at the time of the attack, told AFP that he was asleep when the explosion shook the area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMy family and I jumped out of our beds when we heard a loud bang,\u201d he said. \u201cI heard screaming and the crying of women and children in the building, including my family.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another witness, Abdul Basit, told AFP he was standing in line to buy breakfast when the blast occurred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPeople started running for shelter,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mujib Ahmad, whose car was damaged in the explosion, said he immediately suspected it was an attack after hearing the blast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the \u201cheinous bomb explosion\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I strongly condemn the heinous bomb explosion near Chaman Phatak, Quetta, which has resulted in the tragic loss of innocent lives and left many others injured.

Such cowardly acts of terrorism cannot weaken the resolve of the people of Pakistan. We remain steadfast in our\u2026<\/p>— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) May 24, 2026<\/a><\/blockquote>