MURREE: A tourist van carrying 23 passengers crashed on the Murree Expressway at Khajut on Wednesday, killing at least 10 people and injuring 13 others, officials said.
According to Murree Deputy Commissioner Agha Zaheer Abbas Shirazi, the vehicle overturned after it reportedly collided with a roadside barrier.
The impact sparked a fire in the engine compartment, and the van’s sliding door reportedly jammed, trapping passengers inside.
The injured were rushed to nearby hospitals for emergency medical treatment, officials said.
Police said all 23 passengers aboard the van were residents of Multan and had departed for Murree around 2 a.m. local time. Among the passengers were 10 children.
Authorities added that over-speeding is believed to be a major factor in the accident. Rescue operations were launched immediately after the crash, and an investigation is underway.
More read, Rawalpindi Ring Road opening date confirmed
Earlier, Rawalpindi Ring Road route construction work has been completed over 90 percent, and the project is now ready to become operational by June 15, officials said.
The 38.6-kilometre Rawalpindi Ring Road project, considered a missing link in the city’s traffic network, has entered its final phase of completion. Officials said full carpeting of the road has been completed, while all four interchanges at Baanth, Chak Beli Khan, Adiala, and Chakri are now ready. The remaining work involves minor sewerage tasks and finishing touches, which are being completed on a priority basis.
According to officials, the Ring Road will initially be opened to traffic through the GT Road Baanth Interchange. Motorway access will be provided even before the completion of the Thalian Interchange, which is part of Phase II of the project and will be completed at a later stage.
