10 family members killed, 13 injured in Murree Expressway van fire

At least 10 members of the same family, including four children, were killed and 13 others injured when a passenger van caught fire after crashing on the Murree Expressway near Kajhot on Wednesday, officials said.

According to the Motorway Police, the family from Multan was travelling to Murree for a vacation in multiple vehicles when the accident occurred at around 12:30 p.m.

Officials said the affected Hi-S van was carrying 23 passengers, including 13 adults and 10 children. Preliminary information suggests the vehicle developed a fault and the driver lost control near Kajhot, falling into a roadside drain before crashing into a wall.

The van caught fire immediately after the crash, trapping many passengers inside.

Motorway Police spokesperson Saqib Waheed said the vehicle came to rest with its doors facing the wall, making it extremely difficult for passengers to escape.

"As a result of the accident and subsequent fire, 10 people, including four children, lost their lives, while 13 others sustained injuries," he said.

Rescue teams from the Motorway Police, Rescue 1122 Rawalpindi and local residents rushed to the scene and launched a rescue operation. The dead and injured were evacuated and shifted to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad and other nearby hospitals.

Officials at PIMS said 11 injured family members were being treated at the hospital's burn centre. Two of the injured were reported to be in critical condition, while the remaining patients were said to be out of danger.

Deputy Commissioner Murree Agha Zaheer Shirazi told reporters outside the PIMS Burn Centre that initial investigations suggested speeding could have been one of the factors behind the accident.

He said passengers faced difficulty escaping because the vehicle's doors were blocked after the crash.

District Police Officer (DPO) Murree Raza Tanveer said authorities were investigating all aspects of the incident, including the vehicle's booking and operational arrangements.

"Action will be taken against those found responsible in accordance with the law," he said.

Later, Rawalpindi Commissioner Aamir Khattak visited the PIMS Burn Centre, where he received a briefing from district administration and police officials regarding the accident and rescue efforts.

According to hospital authorities, the bodies of the deceased will be handed over to their families after the completion of legal formalities.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz expressed grief over the tragedy and extended condolences to the bereaved families. She sought a report from the relevant authorities and directed officials to provide all possible assistance to the victims and their relatives.

"The protection of people's lives and property is the government's foremost responsibility," she said, directing authorities to submit a comprehensive report after determining the causes of the accident.

The incident is among the deadliest road accidents reported on the Murree Expressway in recent years and has once again highlighted concerns over passenger transport safety and emergency preparedness on major highways.