Rescue 1122 issues list of Murree snowfall tragedy victims

F.P. Report

MURREE: Rescue 1122 sources on Saturday have released the details of the people who have lost their lives trapped in their cars in Murree after heavy snowfall hit the northern areas.

According to the list, 27-year-old Zahid, 31 year-old M. Ishfaq, 31-year-old Maroof, 27-year-old Sohail Khan, 22-year-old Asad, 21-year-old M. Bilal, 24-year-old Bilal Hussain, 35-year-old Mrs Shahzad and her eight-year-old and 11-year-old two children have lost their lives.

49-year-old ASI Islamabad Naveed Iqbal, his 43-year-old wife and his children were also among the dead. 

It is to be mentioned here that at least 21 people died after heavy snow trapped them in their vehicles as tens of thousands of visitors thronged hill town of Murree and other northern areas.

Pakistan Army has been mobilised to clear roads and rescue stranded people. According to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the army personnel are shifting the tourists to safe places.

Over 100,000 cars had entered the scenic town of Murree in the past few days to see the unusually heavy snowfalls, causing an enormous traffic jam on roads leading in and out, a police spokesman said.

Murree, about 70 kilometres (45 miles) northeast of Islamabad, has long been popular for day trips from the capital.

Punjab province chief minister’s office said Murree had been declared a “disaster area” and urged people to stay away.