Murree proclaimed a tragedy had struck after at least 21 people died in trapped automobiles in the snow : Murree was declared a catastrophe...

 Murree proclaimed a tragedy had struck after at least 21 people died in trapped automobiles in the snow :

Murree was declared a catastrophe on Saturday after at least 21 people died in automobiles stuck in snow during a tourist influx.

Around 1,000 automobiles were trapped on the high station, and the Punjab chief minister gave instructions to expedite rescue efforts and provide assistance to stranded visitors.

Furthermore, according to the province's chief minister, automobile access into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Galiyat has been prohibited.

According to a list released by Rescue 1122, 21 individuals perished, nine of them were children.

In a video message, Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed claimed visitors had rushed to the hill resort in such huge numbers "for the first time in 15 to 20 years, causing a serious issue."

He stated that the administrations of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, as well as police, had been trying to rescue individuals who had become stuck, and that five platoons of the Pakistan Army, as well as Rangers and the Frontier Corps, had been called in on an emergency basis.

According to the minister, over 1,000 automobiles were stranded on the hill station.

Residents of Murree, according to Ahmed, gave food and blankets to trapped visitors, adding that the administration had closed all routes to the hill region and was now letting only cars carrying food and blankets.

"We want to rescue 1,000 automobiles by the evening today, if all goes well. We've decided to halt those who are walking as well. It is not a good moment for [pedestrian] visitors to come."

Murree declared a disaster.

Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar termed the Murree incident a disaster and announced a state of emergency in hospitals, police stations, government offices, and the Rescue 1122 services.

He also ordered the province chief secretary, inspector general of police, relief commissioner, director general Rescue 1122, and director general of the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) to assist with rescue attempts, as well as supplying his helicopter.

The chief minister stated in a statement published by his office that rescuing trapped visitors was his "first priority," adding that all rest houses and public facilities had been opened to them.

The procedure of rescuing the visitors has been accelerated, and food and other necessities have been delivered, according to Buzdar.

He also expressed sorrow at the deaths of persons trapped in the snow, saying he was grieving alongside the families.

Later that day, the chief minister tweeted that he had issued instructions to speed up operations on rescuing residents trapped in the snow and to dispatch extra machinery from Rawalpindi.

He said that over 23,000 automobiles had been evacuated from the region the night before, and that the rescue effort was still ongoing. Buzdar urged residents to obey the police and district administration's directions and cooperate with them.

Army forces from Pakistan have arrived in Murree to assist with the rescue efforts. Army engineers also arrived in the region, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), to assist with the reopening of the important roadways.

Later, the military's press office stated that its engineering forces had cleared the Murree Expressway.

"Heavy machinery from Murree, army engineering Division, and FWO are working nonstop to help individuals who have been struck," the ISPT stated, adding that "troops have been dispatched and they are clearing traffic and opening roads where machinery can't reach."