A snowstorm on a popular hill resort just outside Pakistan’s capital has killed 21 people as heavy snow stranded many tourists on roadsides amid freezing cold.
The victims included at least ten children as stranded families had nowhere to go in the middle of heavy snow, which attracted a large number of tourists to Murree, just an hour’s drive from capital Islamabad.
A police officer, his spouse, and their children died during the night with the government getting into action after reports of endless rows of cars stuck in the dark snowfall.
Prime Minister Imran Khan expressed a deep sense of shock and grief over the loss of lives.
But his government also became a target of criticism for not doing enough and not being quick enough with rescue operations.
The weather department had forecast the winter storm but Murree but thousands of people swarmed to the hill station to mark the new year’s beginning in snowy weather.
Pakistan army moved its vehicles and soldiers who were carrying out rescue operations.
The local administration of Murree received a lot of flak on social media, and the government has promised an inquiry into the loss of lives.
Prime Minister Khan has been promoting domestic and international tourism but critics said such efforts should be accompanied by appropriate emergency response measures and preparedness to deal with the influx of tourists from all over the country.
The snow on the Murree hills is part of the larger winter weather which has covered many Himalayan peaks with heavy snow on both the Pakistani and Indian sides of the disputed Kashmir region as well.
Reporting and pictures by Asim Tanveer
