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PHOTO: Pixabay
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Tourists blocked in their cars by heavy snowfall in northern Pakistan have been rescued and mountain roads have been cleared, the DPA reported, citing Pakistani authorities. On Saturday, 22 people died in extremely low temperatures, who arrived in the area to enjoy the winter weather. Among those killed were 10 children and two women, a spokesman for the Pakistani authorities said.
More than 1,000 people were evacuated at the northern Murray mountain station on Sunday, and more than 300, most of them children, received medical treatment, the army said.
Military and local government officials cleared major roads of snow.
Over the weekend, the snow cover in the popular resort of Murray, north of the capital Islamabad, reached more than 120 centimeters.
More than 150,000 people drove to Murray to enjoy the views and the snow that fell late Tuesday.
The mountain station has a limited capacity and cannot accommodate more than 4,000 vehicles at a time, the mountain administration said.
Many videos have appeared on social media showing cars stuck in the precipices.
Authorities banned vehicles from entering the region on Saturday.
Prime Minister Imran Khan has ordered an investigation into the case, saying people rushed to Murray “without checking the weather” and the district administration was not prepared for such an influx.
Khan’s statement drew widespread criticism, with the opposition accusing him of blaming the victims while calling for a “judicial investigation”.
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