Lahore: Pakistan’s mountainous tourist destination Murri was declared a disaster-hit area on Saturday after 22 people, including nine children, were killed after they were trapped in vehicles due to heavy snowfall and a high number of tourists. Every road leading up to Murri, located in Rawalpindi district, was blocked when thousands of vehicles entered the city and tourists were stuck on the roads.
According to the news of ‘Dawn’ newspaper, about one thousand cars got stuck at the tourist place. The Punjab Chief Minister issued instructions to expedite the rescue work and provide help to the stranded tourists. According to the list prepared by ‘Rescue 1122’, at least 22 people, including 10 children, have died.
Prime Minister Imran Khan said in a statement that he was shocked and saddened by the incident of the death of tourists on the way to Murree. Khan tweeted, “The district administration could not prepare due to the heavy snowfall and the arrival of tourists in large numbers without knowing the weather conditions. An inquiry has been ordered and strict rules are being made to ensure that such a tragedy does not happen again.
Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid said in a video message that the army has been deployed to clear vehicles from the roads. He said that after 15-20 years in Murree such a high number Rasheed said, “A thousand vehicles are stuck since night… and some have been pulled out. There were 16-19 deaths in the car. The local people provided food and clothes to the stranded people.” He said the road leading to Murree would be closed till 9 pm on Sunday.
According to the news of ‘Geo News’, the minister said, “We have decided to ban tourists from visiting Murree. This is not the time to go to Murree.” The Punjab government has declared Murri as a disaster-affected area after heavy snowfall. The Pakistan Meteorological Department has forecast heavy snowfall in Murree and Galiyat between January 6 and 9. Thousands of tourists, including women and children, have been stranded on the roads since last night in the area. The traffic police officials, however, are making their efforts to restore the movement of traffic on the roads.
Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner said on Twitter, “Around 23,000 vehicles have been safely evacuated from Murree. Around 1,000 are still stranded.” Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly and PML-N President Shahbaz Sharif said he was saddened by the tragedy in Murri and questioned who was responsible for these deaths.
