Quetta bomb explosion: Death toll rises to 42

The death toll from the blast at a major hospital in Pakistani's Quetta rose to 42.

The police said over 30 people have been injured in the attack.

Balochistan Home Secretary Akbar Harifal said the blast occurred after a number of lawyers and some journalists had gathered at the hospital following the death of the president of the Balochistan Bar Association in a separate shooting incident early this morning, Dawn reports.

Condemning the attack, Balochistan Chief Minister Sanaullah Zehri said the attack appeared to be a suicide attack but the police are still investigating.

The blast took place following the killing of former president of Balochistan Bar Association Bilal Anwar Kasi, who was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in Quetta.

It is suspected that the attack was carried out by a suicide bomber from Balochistan.

The explosion took place soon after lawyers arrived at the Civil Hospital when Kasi's body was brought in.

The area has been cordoned off and an emergency has been declared in hospitals across Quetta after the blast.

An emergency has been declared in hospitals across Quetta.