Pakistan Railways has released a preliminary inquiry report on the blast at Quetta railway station, identifying the explosion as a possible suicide attack.
Police surgeon Dr Ayesha said the death toll in the explosion had reached 25 and 56 injured were undergoing treatment in different hospitals. She said the victims included a woman and five railway employees.
The explosion occurred at approximately 8:20am near the entrance of platform number one, according to initial findings.
The report noted that the Quetta Control Office reported the blast at around 8:40am, shortly after it took place. Fortunately, no train was present on platform one at the time of the explosion.
It further said that Jafar Express, which was scheduled to arrive at platform one at 8:30am, was shifted to platform three under enhanced security measures. The passengers present at platform number two remained safe from the explosion, which appeared to be a suicide blast.
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The Chaman passenger train, scheduled for an 8:30am departure from platform two, proceeded as planned.
Railway Police, along with DSP Special Branch Railways Shahid Nawaz and other railway staff, swiftly reached the spot. Security forces conducted a thorough scan of Jafar Express before clearing it for travel at 10:10am.
A help desk has been set up at the Quetta Control Office to provide information to affected passengers and their families, while rescue operations are ongoing at the site.
As per reports, the blast occurred just as passengers were preparing for departures. Officials predict that the death toll may rise.
Rescue and security teams swiftly responded to the incident and shifted the bodies and the injured to Quetta's Civil Hospital for medical attention. Some of the injured were also being treated at the trauma centre. Emergency was declared in the Civil Hospital and doctors and paramedical staff immediately called for duty.
Railway officials said that at the time of the blast, which occurred near the ticket booth, two trains were scheduled to depart, and a large number of passengers was present on the platform.
