At least 10 people were killed and 13 others injured after a tourist van crashed and caught fire near Khajut on the Islamabad-Murree Expressway on Wednesday, according to motorway and rescue officials.
The vehicle, carrying 23 members of the same family from Multan, was travelling to Murree when the accident occurred. Authorities said the van reportedly lost control while negotiating a turn on the highway and collided with a side wall before plunging into a ravine.
According to Murree Deputy Commissioner Agha Zaheer Abbas Shirazi, the impact triggered a fire in the vehicle’s engine compartment. The van’s sliding door became jammed during the crash, trapping passengers inside as flames rapidly spread through the vehicle.
Motorway Police officials said the van overturned onto the side where the exit door was located, preventing many occupants from escaping. Rescue teams arriving at the scene launched emergency operations to recover victims and provide medical assistance to survivors.
Authorities confirmed that the deceased included several children. The injured were shifted to nearby hospitals and to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences in Islamabad for treatment. Hospital officials said 10 injured passengers were brought to PIMS, with two reported to be in critical condition.
Rescue 1122 personnel, Motorway Police officers and officials from the Forest Department participated in the operation, which continued for several hours. Emergency responders worked to extinguish the fire, recover bodies and secure the accident site.
Officials said all passengers on board belonged to the same family and had departed from Multan during the early hours of the morning for a holiday trip to Murree.
Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the exact cause of the crash and the subsequent fire. Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz expressed sorrow over the loss of lives, extended condolences to the affected families and directed officials to ensure the best possible medical treatment for those injured in the tragedy.