Bomb attack in Pakistan's Balochistan province kills more than 20 people

A bomb explosion in Quetta, Pakistan, killed at least 20 people and wounded more than 50 others. The Balochistan Liberation Army claimed responsibility for the blast, which occurred while a train was traveling through the city. Some train carriages overturned and caught fire. The explosive was apparently planted in a nearby car park, and adjacent houses and buildings along the railway line were severely damaged. A state of emergency was declared at public hospitals, and doctors and medical staff were ordered to remain on duty. Online footage showed charred vehicles and train carriages lying on their sides. Recent attacks by separatist groups have increased in ferocity and have targeted Chinese workers connected to infrastructure projects in Balochistan, including the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor linking Xinjiang to Gwadar port.

"A bomb explosion in Quetta, the capital of the southwestern Pakistani province of Balochistan, has killed at least 20 people and wounded more than 50 others. Separatist group Balochistan Liberation Army claimed responsibility for Sunday's blast, which took place when a train was travelling through the city, causing some carriages to overturn and catch fire."

"Reporting from the scene, Al Jazeera's Kamal Hyder said the explosive was apparently planted in a nearby car park. He said several houses and buildings adjacent to the railway line were severely damaged. According to local media reports, a state of emergency was declared at public hospitals in Quetta, with doctors and other medical staff ordered to remain on duty."

"Footage shared online showed charred vehicles and train carriages lying on their sides. Hyder said Pakistan has experienced several attacks by separatist groups in recent months. The attacks have increased in ferocity and have also targeted Chinese workers due to opposition to Beijing's infrastructure projects in Balochistan, he added."

"Under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, China's Xinjiang region has been connected to Pakistan's Gwadar port."

Read at www.aljazeera.com