The attack, which took place near the provincial capital Quetta, caused extensive damage at the scene and rescue operations are ongoing.
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A powerful explosion targeting a train carrying military personnel and their families in Pakistan's restive southwestern province of Balochistan on Sunday killed at least 24 people and wounded more than 50, a senior official said. The death toll has varied in international media.
The BBC and Al Jazeera have put the death toll at 20. India's Dainik Bhaskar has put the death toll at 30. However, the death toll is expected to rise due to the size of the blast. The attack, which took place near the provincial capital Quetta, has caused extensive damage and rescue operations are underway.
Images show overturned and damaged train carriages, with locals and rescue workers searching for people trapped in the rubble. The injured and dead were also seen being moved to safety on stretchers, while security forces have cordoned off the area.
The train, which was travelling from Quetta to Peshawar, was crossing the tracks in the Chaman area when a vehicle carrying explosives hit a carriage, officials said. The blast shattered windows and completely damaged some nearby carriages.
Another official told AFP that the soldiers on board the train were travelling with their families to celebrate the Eid holiday, which starts on Tuesday. Balochistan is Pakistan's largest province by area but is considered the country's least developed in terms of development indicators.
Baloch separatist groups here have long accused the central government of exploiting natural gas and mineral resources without benefiting the local population, which has led to a security challenge.
