In the mountain town Murree in Pakistan, as many as 22 including 9 children froze to death while thousands of cars were left stranded after heavy snowfall stunted the life in the small town. The town with a population of just over 25,000 usually witnesses heavy influx of tourists during late winters thanks to its oak-covered mountains and a slew or orchards. Tens of thousands of people, including thousands of tourists had gathered in the small town earlier last week. However, heavy snowfall on the wee hours of Saturday morning led to the death of 22 people. Reportedly, among the 22 dead persons, 8 died in their cars after being frozen to death. Several of the deceased were also reported to have died by breathing fumes from vehicles stranded due to snow.

Contents hide
1. Background
2. The Facts of the Matter
3. Death Toll Expected to Increase Further
4. Pak PM Condoles Deaths
5. Interior Minister Puts Blame on Tourists

Background

In 2020, Balochistan, which is known for its dry, and warm weather conditions, experienced one of the worst snowfall incidents in the past 20 years. The heavy snowfall halted the day-to-day life of Baloch citizens while incessant rainfall made things even worse. This led to the death of as many as 14 people which included both women and children. At least 350 houses were also reported to be damaged due to the extreme weather event.

According to a German think tank Germanwatch, Pakistan is the 8th most vulnerable country when it comes to climate change. Between the period of 2000 and 2019, the country has reported as many as 173 extreme weather incidents with $3.8 billion estimated loss.

A small town in Pakistan witnessed another calamity when heavy snowfall led to deaths of over a dozen people, and the stranding of thousands of people.

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The Facts of the Matter

On Sunday, January 9, an emergency was declared in Murree, a small hill-station in Pakistan’s Punjab. The emergency was declared “due to heavy snowfall and hardship faced by local populations and tourists, causing many deaths”. Earlier, the district management and disaster relief personnel initiated a search and rescue operation to save the stranded tourists in Murree.

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Death Toll Expected to Increase Further

Earlier, thousands of people had flocked over to the small hill town to enjoy the snowfall. However, situation escalated drastically after heavy snowfall led to vehicles and its passengers buried deep in snow. Due to the same, 22 people have been reported dead so far, with the death toll expected to increase further. Visuals show the extent of the calamity, with a sea of cars with a few inches of distance between them stuck under piles of snow.

Asphyxiation is being reported as one of the major cause of deaths. Reportedly, several passengers in their vehicles switched on the heaters which led to emission of the dangerous carbon monoxide gas. Several people among the deaths were reported to have suffocated due to the same.

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Pak PM Condoles Deaths

After the incident, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan condoled the deaths of the victims of calamity, and ordered an probe into the tragedy. Taking to Twitter, PM Khan said, “Shocked and upset at tragic deaths of tourists on road to Murree. Unprecedented snowfall and rush of people proceeding without checking weather conditions caught district admin unprepared. Have ordered inquiry and putting in place strong regulation to ensure prevention of such tragedies.”

Interior Minister Puts Blame on Tourists

According to Pakistan Interior Minister, the crisis was caused after tourists took to the small town in such a huge number after almost two decades. He further added that blankets and food was provided to tourists by the locals. The Interior Minister added that all routes to the hill station are closed and only vehicles with food and blankets will be allowed to pass through.

 

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