10 Family Members Killed, 13 Injured in Tragic Murree Expressway Van Crash

MURREE, June 10: A devastating road accident on the Islamabad-Murree Expressway claimed the lives of at least 10 people and left 13 others injured on Wednesday when a passenger van carrying members of the same family plunged into a ravine and caught fire near Khajut.

According to the National Highways and Motorway Police (NHMP), the Hiace van was travelling from Multan to Murree with 23 family members on board when the driver reportedly lost control while negotiating a sharp turn on the expressway. The vehicle veered off the road, fell into a drainage channel, and burst into flames shortly after impact.

Officials said the accident became even more tragic because the van overturned onto the side where its main door was located, preventing passengers from opening it and escaping the fire. Several occupants became trapped inside as flames rapidly engulfed the vehicle.

Murree Deputy Commissioner Agha Zaheer Abbas Shirazi said that all 23 passengers belonged to the same family from Multan. Reports indicate that women and children were among the victims, with around 10 children travelling in the van at the time of the accident.

Rescue 1122 teams, Motorway Police personnel, local administration officials, and members of the Forest Department rushed to the scene immediately after the crash. Emergency workers carried out rescue and relief operations, while the injured and deceased were transported to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad for treatment, identification, and further procedures.

Hospital officials reported that several injured passengers suffered severe burns, and some remained in critical condition. Authorities fear the death toll could rise if critically injured victims do not recover.

Initial investigations suggest the vehicle may have been travelling at a high speed when it approached the turn. Some reports indicate that the van struck a side wall before plunging into the ravine, while the impact may have triggered a fire in the engine compartment. However, authorities have not yet confirmed the exact cause of the accident and have launched a formal investigation.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and extended condolences to the bereaved families. She directed officials to ensure the best possible medical treatment for the injured and ordered a detailed report on the incident.

The tragedy has once again highlighted concerns over road safety on Pakistan's highways and mountainous routes, where speeding, dangerous turns, and vehicle safety issues continue to contribute to fatal accidents every year.