Murree Expressway Accident Toll Rises to 10; Victims Identified at PIMS

MURREE: The number of casualties in the Murree Expressway accident has soared to 10, while four out of 13 injured are in critical condition, receiving treatment in the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS).ARY News reported.

The bodies have been shifted to the PIMS, while the hospital officials stated that the bodies will be handed over to their families after the completion of legal procedures.

Additionally, the process of identifying the deceased has been completed. The victims include five children: one-year-old Eshal Fatima, eight-year-old Shayan Kashif, five-year-old Ayan, seven-year-old Ilyan, and 10-year-old Azan Hyder.

Four women were also killed in the tragic incident, identified as 35-year-old Shahreen, 35-year-old Sania, 38-year-old Farzana, and 45-year-old Arzo. The only man who died in the accident was identified as 55-year-old Nasim.

Meanwhile, 11 wounded members of the same family are currently undergoing treatment at the PIMS burns center.

According to PIMS records, the injured children include three-year-old Ali Asghar, seven-year-old Faras Raza, and eight-year-old Murtaza Ashfaq. Other injured family members include 11-year-old Ayiza Shahzad, 13-year-old Abiha Ashfaq, Zeeshan Kashif, 19-year-old Dua Zehra, Mahem Shahzad, 27-year-old Anam Saqib, and 42-year-old Nazia Batool.

Initially, at least six tourists were killed and eight others injured after a passenger van caught fire on the Murree Expressway, according to District Police Officer (DPO) Dr Muhammad Raza.

Detailing the dreadful incident, the DPO said the vehicle initially lost control and collided with a safety barrier. The impact caused a fuel leak, which subsequently ignited and engulfed the van in flames.

According to police, several passengers were unable to exit the vehicle immediately after the crash, resulting in multiple fatalities at the Murree Expressway crash.

The injured sustained burn injuries and were shifted to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) for treatment.

Rescue operations are ongoing, and authorities are continuing to transfer victims to nearby medical facilities.

DPO Dr Muhammad Raza said a full investigation has been ordered into Murree Expressway to determine the cause of the incident, including whether it resulted from overspeeding or a mechanical failure such as brake malfunction.

Authorities have pledged a comprehensive inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the fire.

School van catches fire in Karachi

Earlier this year, a school van caught fire in Karachi’s Shah Faisal area. The fire broke out at the time of school off in the van that was transporting kids to their homes.

Following the outbreak of the fire, local residents rushed to the scene and began rescuing the children from the van.

Several children who were inside the vehicle were affected by smoke inhalation and were shifted to hospital for treatment.

According to SSP Korangi, all children are safe. He said the children were affected due to panic and the ensuing stampede after the fire broke out.