Murree Expressway death toll jumps to 10, 12 injured

MURREE: At least ten people lost their lives, and 12 were injured as a sudden fire broke out in a tourist Toyota Hiace near Khajat on the Murree Expressway, causing the vehicle to fall into a drain on the roadside and disrupting traffic flow.

According to rescue officials, after the fire, intense flames rose in the Hiace, due to which not only the vehicle was completely burnt, but also the fire spread to a part of the nearby forest, which was brought under control by rescue operations.

Locals took timely action and rescued four tourists trapped in the vehicle and immediately shifted them to the hospital.

Rescue officials said that, according to initial information, there were tourists in the Hiace, while investigations are underway to find out the reasons for the incident.

According to sources, Rescue 1122 could not reach the scene in time; however, local people participated in the rescue operations with their own help.

Five of the injured have been shifted to PIMS Hospital, Islamabad, and three to Farooq Hospital, while the rest are being treated in Murree and nearby medical facilities.

Officials say the condition of some of the injured is critical.