CM Maryam offers condolences to the bereaved families, orders inquiry into the accident
\n RAWALPINDI
\nAt least 10 people were killed and 13 others injured on Wednesday when a passenger van carrying members of the same family plunged into a ravine and caught fire on the Rawalpindi\u2013Murree Expressway near Khajut, Motorway Police spokesperson Saqib Waheed said.
\nAccording to Waheed, the hiace van was travelling from the southern city of Multan to the popular hill station of Murree when it lost control while negotiating a bend, fell into a drainage channel beside the roadway and immediately burst into flames, trapping passengers inside.
\nHe added that the van came to rest on its side, preventing the doors from being opened and severely hindering escape efforts and rescue operations.
\nWaheed said emergency responders, including motorway police personnel, rescue teams and officials from the Murree administration, rushed to the scene shortly after the accident was reported.
\n\u201cThe bodies of those killed and the injured survivors were transported to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad for medical treatment, identification and further procedures,\u201d he said.
\nThe spokesperson said a heavy contingent of officers remained at the scene alongside local administration officials as rescue and recovery efforts continued, while an investigation had been launched to determine the exact cause of the accident.
\nPunjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz expressed deep sorrow and ordered an inquiry into the accident.
\nIn a statement, the chief minister offered condolences to the bereaved families and said the government had taken immediate notice of the incident, directing relevant authorities to submit a detailed report.
\nShe instructed rescue and administrative agencies to provide all possible assistance to the affected families and to continue support for those injured in the crash.
\nMaryam also ordered officials to determine the causes of the accident and present a comprehensive report on the circumstances that led to the tragedy.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
CM Maryam offers condolences to the bereaved families, orders inquiry into the accident RAWALPINDI At least 10 people were killed and 13 others injured on Wednesday when a passenger van carrying members of the same family plunged into a ravine and caught fire on the Rawalpindi\u2013Murree Expressway near Khajut, Motorway Police spokesperson Saqib Waheed said. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-550582","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","category-top-news"],"yoast_head":"\n