Murree, June 10: At least 10 people were killed and 13 others injured on Wednesday when a passenger van carrying members of the same family plunged into a ravine and caught fire on the Rawalpindi–Murree Expressway near Khajut, according to Motorway Police spokesperson Saqib Waheed.
The ill-fated Hiace van was travelling from Multan to the hill resort of Murree when the driver reportedly lost control while negotiating a sharp bend. The vehicle veered off the road, fell into a drainage channel alongside the expressway, and immediately burst into flames, trapping passengers inside.
According to officials, the van came to rest on its side, making it impossible to open the doors and significantly hampering escape attempts and rescue operations.
Rescue teams, motorway police personnel, and officials from the Murree administration rushed to the scene shortly after the accident was reported. Emergency responders launched rescue and recovery efforts amid challenging conditions caused by the fire and the vehicle’s position in the ravine.
“The bodies of those who lost their lives and the injured survivors were shifted to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad for treatment, identification, and further legal formalities,” Motorway Police spokesperson Saqib Waheed said.
A heavy contingent of police and local administration officials remained at the site as rescue and recovery operations continued. Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the exact cause of the accident.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz expressed deep sorrow over the tragic incident and ordered an immediate inquiry.
In a statement, the chief minister extended her condolences to the bereaved families and directed the relevant authorities to submit a detailed report on the accident. She also instructed rescue and administrative agencies to provide all possible assistance to the affected families and ensure the best medical care for those injured.
Maryam Nawaz further ordered officials to ascertain the causes of the crash and present a comprehensive report on the circumstances that led to the tragedy.
