21 people who were stuck in their vehicles lost their lives in the snowfall that has been effective since yesterday evening in the holiday resort Murree and Galyat region of the Punjab state, Pakistan. The Federal Government has deployed the Pakistan Army personnel for the rescue operations. In a video message, Pakistani Minister of Interior Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad stated that many people flocked to the region for the weekend break. “For the first time in 15 to 20 years such large number of tourists flocked to Murree, which caused a big crisis,” Ahmad said.
Around 1.000 vehicles were trapped in the region and the road from Islamabad to Murree has been closes, according to Minister Ahmad. Interior Minister Ahmad pointed out that the authorities are only allowing vehicles planning to take food and blankets to the area. “God willing, we will rescue 1.000 cars by evening today. We have decided to stop people travelling on foot as well. It is no time for tourists to visit,” Ahmad said
Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar declared Murree as a disaster area. Buzdar also imposed a state of alert in hospitals, police stations, administration offices and rescue services.