Murree Declared Calamity-Hit As 21 Tourists Freeze To Death

Web Desk — The city of Murree was declared a calamity on Saturday after at least 21 people died from exposure in stranded cars in the snow.

As many as 1,000 cars were stuck on the hill station, while the Punjab chief minister issued instructions for expediting rescue efforts and providing aid to tourists stranded there. All the routes in Murree were blocked after thousands of vehicles entered the city, leaving the tourists helpless on the roads under heavy snowfall.

Interior Minister Sh Rasheed
Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, in a video message, said tourists were flocking to the hill station in such large numbers “for the first time in 15 to 20 years”.

The government was forced to close the road from Islamabad to Murree, Rasheed said. “The commissioners, deputy commissioners, and police in Islamabad and Rawalpindi are conducting rescue operations.”

According to the interior minister, 1,000 vehicles will be evacuated today, and the roads to Murree will remain closed until 9 pm tomorrow. “We have also banned tourists who intend to walk into Murree; now is not the time to visit Murree,” Rasheed said.

Earlier, Sheikh Rasheed had appealed to the tourists, especially families, to refrain from travelling to Murree and Galyat.

Murree – a calamity-hit area
The Punjab government has declared Murree a calamity-hit area. As a result of the chaos and emergency situation, Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar has ordered the government’s offices and rest houses to be opened for the stranded tourists.

PM Shocked
Responding to the incident, Prime Minister Imran Khan said: “Shocked and upset at tragic deaths of tourists on road to Murree.” He stated that “unprecedented snowfall and a rush of people proceeding without checking weather conditions caught the district administration by surprise.”

Murree: Weather forecast tonight
Rain and blizzards are forecast in and around Murree tonight, with thunderstorms moving at speeds of 50-90 kmph and heavy snowfall. The administration has warned residents not to leave their homes in severe weather conditions or drive to Murree as it is likely that severe weather conditions will last until late at night.

Deployment of troops
The federal government has deployed the personnel of the Pakistan Army and other civil-armed forces for rescue operations.

Hotel association assails admin, offers free stay for those stranded
Raja Yasir Abbasi, the secretary-general of the Hotels Association, announced free meals and accommodations for tourists stranded in Murree.

A complete ban on entry of cars into Galiyat
KP Chief Minister Mahmood Khan said he was keeping a close eye on the situation in Galiyat, which has also been overcrowded with tourists this winter. Cars are no longer allowed into Galiyat, he said, adding that no accidents occurred in the area where three feet of snow fell a day earlier.