Suicide bombing kills at least 23 in Pakistan

A suicide bomber detonated an explosives-laden vehicle near a railway track as a passenger train passed through the southwestern Pakistani city of Quetta on Sunday, killing at least 23 people and wounding more than 70 others, officials said.

- By ABDUL SATTAR AND MUNIR AHMED

The force of the explosion caused two train cars to overturn and catch fire, sending thick black smoke into the air, according to video shared online.

The attack happened in an area where security forces are usually stationed, badly damaging nearby buildings and smashing more than a dozen vehicles parked along the road, according to witnesses and images circulating on social media.

Three security officials, speaking to reporters on condition of anonymity, told the Associated Press that the bodies were transported to hospitals. Doctors at local hospitals said they received the wounded, with 20 in critical condition.