Several dead as passenger van catches fire on Islamabad-Murree Expressway

WEB DESK: Several people lost their lives on Wednesday after a passenger van caught fire on the Islamabad-Murree Expressway near the Khajut area, according to the National Highways and Motorway Police (NHMP).

In an official statement, the NHMP spokesperson confirmed that the blaze erupted suddenly inside a Toyota HiAce van. Due to the intensity of the fire, it is feared that multiple passengers trapped inside the vehicle could not survive.

Rescue operations underway

Following the incident, a heavy contingent of the Motorway Police alongside local administration officials rushed to the scene to supervise the emergency response. Rescue teams worked to contain the fire and retrieve the victims from the vehicle.

The tragedy caused disruption to the flow of traffic on the busy expressway, which connects the federal capital to the hill station of Murree.

Motorway Police personnel were deployed to manage the traffic queues and ensure clear passage for emergency vehicles.

Investigation launched

The exact cause of the sudden fire remains unknown. The NHMP spokesperson stated that a formal investigation has been launched by the authorities to determine the technical or mechanical failure that led to the deadly inferno.

Deadly vehicular fires are not uncommon in Pakistan, often caused by poorly maintained engines, electrical short circuits, or the illegal installation of substandard Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinders in public transport vehicles.

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