At least 10 killed, several injured after passenger van catches fire on Murree Expressway

Murree (Web Desk): At least 10 tourists were killed and several others sustained injuries when a passenger van overturned and burst into flames near Khajut on the Islamabad–Murree Expressway, officials confirmed on Wednesday.

According to Murree Deputy Commissioner Agha Zaheer Abbas Shirazi, the ill-fated vehicle was carrying 23 members of the same family who were travelling from Multan towards Murree for a trip.

He stated that the van was reportedly moving at high speed when it collided with a roadside barrier at Khajut, triggering a fire in the engine area.

The DC added that the sliding door became jammed after the impact, leaving passengers unable to escape.

Officials from Motorway Police further reported that the vehicle veered off the road while taking a bend and plunged into a ravine.

They said the van overturned onto the side where its exit door was located, which made it impossible for those inside to open it as the fire spread rapidly. The victims also included 10 children, according to the police spokesperson.

Rescue teams from Rescue 1122, along with Motorway Police personnel and officials from the Forest Department, rushed to the scene and launched an emergency operation.

Rescue activities continued for several hours as injured passengers and bodies were transported to nearby medical facilities and to Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad.

Authorities said all 23 passengers belonged to Multan and had left in the early hours around 2 am for Murree. 
Emergency responders continued recovery efforts at the crash site while an investigation was initiated to determine the exact cause of the accident and the circumstances that led to the fire.

A spokesperson for Motorway Police said 10 injured individuals were shifted to hospital, adding that two of them remained in critical condition.

Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives, offering condolences to the bereaved families.

She directed authorities to ensure the best possible medical treatment for the injured and called for a detailed report on the incident.
Investigations into the tragic crash are currently underway.