At least 10 people were killed and 13 others injured after a tourist van caught fire following a tragic accident at Khajat on the Murree Expressway, officials said.
According to the Motorway Police and Murree administration, the victims belonged to the same family and were travelling from Multan to Murree. Most of the passengers in the van were children.
The accident took place near Khajat on the Murree Expressway when a Toyota Hiace van carrying tourists met with an accident while taking a turn.
According to the Motorway Police spokesperson, the van fell into a drain after the crash and immediately caught fire. Earlier reports said the vehicle had hit a side wall due to overspeeding before the fire broke out.
Murree Deputy Commissioner Agha Zaheer Shirazi also confirmed that the accident occurred due to high speed and an engine fire.
Death toll rises to 10
Initial reports had confirmed four deaths and 12 burn injuries, but officials later said the death toll had risen to 10.
The Motorway Police spokesperson confirmed that 13 people were injured in the accident. The DC also said 13 injured passengers were being shifted to PIMS Islamabad and Farooq Hospital.
According to initial information, 23 tourists were travelling in the vehicle and belonged to Multan.
Locked door trapped passengers
Rescue officials said the sliding door of the vehicle was locked after the crash, making it difficult for passengers to escape.
The Motorway Police spokesperson said the van fell on the side from where the doors could not be opened, worsening the impact of the fire.
Most of the passengers in the Hiace van were children, with officials saying around 10 children were among those travelling in the vehicle. The bodies of the deceased and the injured were shifted to PIMS Islamabad, while some injured were also taken to Farooq Hospital.
Officials said 11 injured passengers were shifted to the burn unit of PIMS Islamabad due to serious burn injuries. The process of identifying the bodies is underway, according to DC Murree.
Rescue operation launched immediately
Rescue 1122, Motorway Police, Murree administration and Forest Department personnel reached the site soon after the accident.
A heavy contingent of Motorway Police and Murree administration remained present at the scene as rescue and relief operations continued. The Motorway Police said an inquiry had been launched to determine the exact cause of the fire and the accident.
Maryam Nawaz seeks report
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz expressed grief over the loss of lives in the Murree Expressway accident. On her instructions, the administration and relief teams immediately reached the accident site.
The chief minister directed authorities to provide immediate and best possible medical treatment to the injured. She also sought an immediate report and expressed sympathy and condolences to the bereaved families.
Investigation underway
Officials said further investigations into the accident are continuing, while administrative agencies remain present at the scene.
Authorities are examining how the vehicle caught fire, whether overspeeding contributed to the crash and why the sliding door could not be opened after the accident.
