By Imran Nasir

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (TSAT) - At least 21 people have been froze to death in stranded cars in snow in Pakistan most popular tourist spot Murree, official said on Saturday.

According to officials, over 1,000 cars were stuck in heavy snowfall on roads to Murree, some 64 km north from country's capital Islamabad on Friday night that caused the huge casualties.

"The tourists had rushed to the tourist spot for snowfall in such a large numbers for first time in last 15 to 20 years that created a big crisis," the Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid said in video statement.

The government also blocked all roads toward Murere and advised the tourists to avoid travelling the hill station.

"We have also called the army and hopefully all the roads would be cleared till tomorrow evening," Rashid said

He requested the local residents of the areas to help the stranded people, provide them food, blankets as due to current weather condition helicopters couldn't reach the area.

The authorities have launched rescue operations in the area while Pakistan army also sent its troops to help the stranded tourists.
However, the local officials said that due to falling trees and heavy snowfall the rescue teams are facing difficulties in removing the snow to clear the roads.

The Islamabad administration also requested to the residents of the capital city to avoid travelling to Murree due to current uncertain situation.

"Roads leading to Murree from Islamabad are hereby closed in public interest because of traffic jams and rush of visitors. Everyone is requested to plz postpone their plans for now. Entry from Islamabad will stay closed till Sunday Night," Deputy Commissioner Islamabad tweeted.

Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan also expressed his grief over the loss of lives in snow storm and ordered Inquairy of the insufficient facilities to timely rescue the tourist.

“Shocked & upset at tragic deaths of tourists on road to Murree. Unprecedented snowfall & rush of ppl proceeding without checking weather conditions caught district admin unprepared. Have ordered inquiry & putting in place strong regulation to ensure prevention of such tragedies,” Khan tweeted.

https://twitter.com/imrankhanpti/status/1479752168768999429?s=21

Meanwhile, the country northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province also closed the Galiyat tourist spot and asked the local authorities to not allow tourists to go the hill station because of heavy snowfall.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department had predicted heavy snowfall in Murree, Galiyat and other parts of northwest and northern areas of the country from January 6 to 9.