MURREE: More than 20 tourists were found dead in their cars in Murree Friday night in freezing temperature amid traffic jam.
Prime Minister Imran Khan has ordered an inquiry on Saturday (Jan 8) after learning about casualties in traffic jam in Murree.
Murree, the tourists hub, was seen crowded on Friday as thousands of tourists rushed there to see winter snowfall. The government has declared an emergency in Murree and imposed a ban on the entry of tourists in the area. They won’t be allowed to go beyond Satra Meel Toll Plaza, Rasheed said, except in the case of extreme emergency.
Death toll can increase further as more than one thousand cars are stuck up in traffic jam in Murree and adjoining areas.
Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid said that so far, 23,000 cars have been brought back, while an operation was underway to rescue 1,000 cars trapped in the snow. He said that heavy machinery was being employed to clear the roads as well.
According to reports, about 140,000 vehicles entered Murree in recent days which caused traffic jam amid snowfall.
Meanwhile, hundreds of people spent Friday night on the roads. Residents have been out on the streets distributing warms clothes, blankets, and food to stranded tourists.
The government has decided to seek “undeclared” help from civil-armed forces to evacuate the tourists from the area as well. Rasheed said that this is the first time in 15 to 20 years that such an influx of tourists was seen in Murree.
PM Imran orders inquiry
Prime Minister Imran Khan tweeted that he was shocked and upset at the tragedy and ordered an inquiry on Saturday. PM Khan ordered the administration to pace up rescue operation to safe lives of stranded tourists in Murree.
