Murree declared calamity hit following death of 19 tourists

RAWALPINDI: Murree was declared as the calamity-hit area on Saturday after 19 tourists died of cold with thousands of cars stuck in the hill station.

An emergency has been declared in Murree with the Pakistan Army and Rangers troops called in to help clear the traffic jam and get tourists out of the hill station.

Also Read: Govt urges people to avoid travelling to Murree, northern areas

The government has banned entry of tourists in Murree and Galiyat region to control the situation.

The Rawalpindi deputy commissioner tweeted that around 23,000 vehicles have been evacuated safely from Murree and around 1,000 are still stranded. The district administration is working round the clock to evacuate the remaining vehicles safely, he added.

Around 23000 vehicles have been evacuated safely from Murree. Around 1000 are still stranded. The District Admin is working round the clock to evacuate remaining vehicles safely. In case of any emergency, please contact control room at 051-9292963@GovtofPunjabPK @ctprwp pic.twitter.com/XJCJShC1SL

— Commissioner Rawalpindi Division (@CommissionerRwp) January 8, 2022

Earlier today, Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed said 16 to 19 people have died of cold in cars stuck in Murree. He said five platoons of the Pakistan Army have been called in to help rescue the stranded tourists.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Fawad Chaudhry said hundreds of thousands of cars are heading towards Murree and other upper areas to enjoy snowfall.

Also Read: ‘Army summoned’ to evacuate tourists from Murree after 19 deaths

It has become impossible for the local administration to provide facilities to such a large number of people, the minister said, urging people to postpone their trips to these areas for a few days.