A suicide bomber detonated an explosives-laden vehicle near a railway track in Quetta, Pakistan, as a passenger train passed, killing at least 23 people and injuring more than 70.

The blast overturned and set fire to two train cars and caused heavy damage to nearby buildings and vehicles in the area.

Authorities said many of the wounded were in critical condition, and hospitals in Quetta declared a medical emergency while rescue efforts continued.

The Baloch Liberation Army claimed responsibility, saying it targeted security personnel, though officials condemned the attack as a terrorist act against civilians, the AP has reported.

Government leaders, including the prime minister and provincial officials, vowed to hunt down those responsible as investigations were launched in the insurgency-hit Balochistan region.