Murree declared ‘disaster area’ 16 die trapped in vehicles
ISLAMABAD: Minister for Interior Sheikh Rashid confirmed on Saturday that continuous snowfall and traffic congestion took at least 16 to 19 lives in Murree following which Pakistan Army, FC and Rangers were called in to assist in rescue operations.
The people died after heavy snow trapped them in their vehicles as tens of thousands of visitors thronged the hill town.
The military had been mobilised to clear roads and rescue people still trapped, Rashid said in a video message, adding, “At least 16 to 19 people died inside their vehicles.”
“For the first time in the history of Pakistan after 15 to 20 years, such a large number of tourists went towards Murree which created a crisis that the government had to block the traffic going to the tourist spot.”
Murree, about 70 kilometres (45 miles) northeast of Islamabad, has long been popular for day trips from the capital.
Rashid was in Murree to supervise relief and evacuation activities in which the administrations of Rawalpindi and Islamabad were also participating. Besides five platoons of the Pakistan Army, FC and Rangers had also been called in to assist them, the minister said.
وزیر داخلہ شیخ رشید احمد مری اور گلیات میں پھنسے مسافروں کی امداد کی مانیٹرنگ کے لئے مری پہنچ گئے۔ شیخ رشید احمد نے کہا کہ برفباری کی وجہ سے 16 سے 19 سیاحوں کی اموات واقع ہوئی ہیں کچھ گاڑیوں کو نکالی لیاگیا ہے جبکہ دیگر کو واپس بھیج دیا ہے ۔@ShkhRasheed pic.twitter.com/aoymoyeJtn
— PTV News (@PTVNewsOfficial) January 8, 2022
The government of Punjab on Saturday declared an emergency in Murree. The province’s chief minister office said that the hill station had been declared a “disaster area” and urged people to stay away.
Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar also ordered the chief secretary, IG police, relief commissioner, DG rescue and PDMA to monitor the rescue activities. He appealed to people to strictly follow instructions given by the police and district administration and cooperate with them.
وزیراعلیٰ @UsmanAKBuzdar کا مری میں ایمرجنسی کےنفاذ کا اعلان: مری کو آفت زدہ قراردےدیا
— Government of Punjab (@GovtofPunjabPK) January 8, 2022
•مری اور ملحقہ علاقوں میں تمام ریسٹ ہاؤسز اور سرکاری اداروں کوسیاحوں کیلئےکھول دیاگیاہے
•وزیراعلی نےاپنا ہیلی کاپٹر بھی ریسکیوسرگرمیوں کےلئےدےدیاموسم بہترہوتے ہی امدادی سرگرمیوں میں حصہ لےگا pic.twitter.com/o5sdTH8lD8
In its statement, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said army engineers reached the area to help open up the main highways.
