10 Killed as Tourist Van Catches Fire on Murree Expressway

At least 10 people were killed and 13 others injured on Wednesday after a van carrying tourists caught fire on the Islamabad-Murree Expressway near Khajut. The incident has shocked the country as authorities confirmed that the passengers were members of the same family travelling from Multan to Murree.

According to the National Highways and Motorway Police, the vehicle was carrying 23 people when it went off the road while taking a sharp turn. Preliminary findings suggest that the van hit a roadside structure and then caught fire, trapping several passengers before they could escape.

Officials said the collision left the vehicle positioned in a way that made it difficult for passengers to open the doors. Rescue teams, motorway police and district administration personnel reached the scene and began relief operations, while the injured and the bodies were shifted to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences in Islamabad.

Hospital and police officials confirmed that the dead included children, while several injured passengers suffered burns and other serious wounds. Some of those being treated were reported to be in critical condition, raising fears that the death toll could change if injuries worsen.

National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq expressed grief over the tragedy and conveyed condolences to the bereaved families. He said he shared the sorrow of the victims’ relatives and directed concerned authorities to ensure the injured receive the best possible medical care.

The accident has once again drawn attention to road safety on routes leading to popular tourist destinations. Murree receives heavy traffic during holidays and summer travel seasons, and accidents on steep or busy roads often expose gaps in vehicle fitness, driver caution, emergency exits and enforcement of speed limits.

The Islamabad-Murree Expressway is a key travel route for tourists from Punjab, Islamabad and other parts of the country. Last month, traffic pressure on the route increased after vehicles were diverted from Murree Road due to reconstruction work, highlighting the need for strict traffic management on high-risk stretches.

For Pakistan, the tragedy carries both human and policy significance. A single family lost several members in a moment that turned a recreational journey into a national tragedy, while transport regulators now face renewed questions about passenger vehicle safety, emergency response systems and prevention of fire-related casualties after crashes.

Authorities are expected to complete a detailed inquiry into the cause of the crash and fire, including whether overspeeding, mechanical failure, road conditions or vehicle safety lapses played a role. The findings will be critical in determining accountability and preventing similar incidents during the peak tourism season.